Compositions and methods for treatment of cervical dysplasia

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods of treating, protecting against, and inducing an immune response against cervical dysplasia and cancer, comprising the step of administering to a subject a recombinant  Listeria  strain, comprising a fusion peptide that comprises an LLO fragment and an E7 and/or E6 antigen. The present invention also provides methods for inducing an anti-E7 CTL response in a human subject and treating HPV-mediated diseases, disorders, and symptoms, comprising administration of the recombinant  Listeria  strain.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/314,583, filed Dec. 8, 2011, which is a Continuation-in-Part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/715,497, filed Mar. 8, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,114,414; which is a Continuation-in-Part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/415,271, filed May 2, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,791,237; and is (1) a Continuation-in-Part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/373,528, filed Mar. 13, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,662,396, which is a Continuation-in-Part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/835,662, filed Apr. 30, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,588,930, which is a Continuation-in-Part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/239,703, filed Aug. 7, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,635,479, which is a National Phase Application of PCT International Application No. PCT/US01/09736, International Filing Date Mar. 26, 2001, now expired; and is (2) a Continuation-in-Part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/223,945, filed Sep. 13, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,820,180, which is a Continuation-in-Part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/949,667, filed Sep. 24, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,794,729. These applications are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention provides methods of treating, protecting against, and inducing an immune response against cervical pre-cancer or dysplasia, comprising the step of administering to a subject a recombinant Listeria strain, comprising a fusion peptide that comprises an LLO fragment and an E7 and/or E6 antigen. The present invention also provides methods for inducing an anti-E7 CTL response in a human subject and treating HPV-mediated diseases, disorders, and symptoms, comprising administration of the recombinant Listeria strain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Worldwide, approximately 500,000 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year. Cancer of the cervix (cervical cancer) begins in the lining of the cervix and is the result of infection-induced mutations of cervical cells by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Early manifestations of persistent HPV infection are reflected when normal cervical cells gradually develop pre-cancerous changes that turn into cancer. Several terms are used to describe these pre-cancerous changes, including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL), and neoplasia in situ, dysplasia.

There are 2 major types of cervical cancers: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Cervical cancers and cervical precancers are classified by microscopic appearance. About 80%-90% of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which are composed of cells that resemble the flat, thin cells called squamous cells that cover the surface of the endocervix. Squamous cell carcinomas most often begin where the ectocervix joins the endocervix.

The remaining 10%-20% of cervical cancers are adenocarcinomas. Adenocarcinomas are becoming more common in women born in the last 20 to 30 years. Cervical adenocarcinoma develops from the mucus-producing gland cells of the endocervix. Less commonly, cervical cancers have features of both squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. These are called “adenosquamous carcinomas” or “mixed carcinomas.”

Improved therapies for cervical pre-cancer or dysplasia are urgently needed in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides methods of treating, protecting against, and inducing an immune response against cervical pre-cancer or dysplasia, comprising the step of administering to a subject a recombinant Listeria strain, comprising a fusion peptide that comprises an LLO fragment and an E7 and/or E6 antigen. The present invention also provides methods for inducing an anti-E7 CTL response in a human subject and treating HPV-mediated diseases, disorders, and symptoms, comprising administration of the recombinant Listeria strain.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating a cervical dysplasia in a human subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein fused to an Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) E7 antigen, whereby the recombinant Listeria strain induces an immune response against the E7 antigen, thereby treating a cervical pre-cancer or dysplasia in a human subject.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of protecting a human subject against a cervical cancer comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein fused to an HPV E7 antigen, whereby the recombinant Listeria strain induces an immune response against the E7 antigen, thereby protecting a human subject against a cervical cancer. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain comprises a plasmid that encodes the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the human subject with a recombinant Listeria strain of the present invention. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the human subject with an immunogenic composition comprising an E7 antigen. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the human subject with an immunogenic composition that directs a cell of the subject to express an E7 antigen. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for inducing an immune response against a cervical dysplasia in a human subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein fused to an HPV E7 antigen, whereby the recombinant Listeria strain induces an immune response against the E7 antigen, thereby inducing an immune response against a cervical pre-cancer or dysplasia in a human subject. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain comprises a plasmid that encodes the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the human subject with a recombinant Listeria strain of the present invention. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the human subject with an immunogenic composition comprising an E7 antigen. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the human subject with an immunogenic composition that directs a cell of the subject to express an E7 antigen. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for inducing an anti-E7 cytotoxic T cell response against a cervical dysplasia in a human subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein fused to an HPV E7 antigen, whereby the recombinant Listeria strain induces an immune response against the E7 antigen, thereby inducing an anti-E7 cytotoxic T cell response against a cervical dysplasia in a human subject. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain comprises a plasmid that encodes the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the human subject with a recombinant Listeria strain of the present invention. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the human subject with an immunogenic composition comprising an E7 antigen. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the human subject with an immunogenic composition that directs a cell of the subject to express an E7 antigen. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Lm-E7 and Lm-LLO-E7 use different expression systems to express and secrete E7. FIG. 1A. Lm-E7 was generated by introducing a gene cassette into the orfZ domain of the L. monocytogenes genome. FIG. 1B. The hly promoter drives expression of the hly signal sequence and the first five amino acids (AA) of LLO followed by HPV-16 E7. Lm-LLO-E7 was generated by transforming the prfA-strain XFL-7 with the plasmid pGG-55. pGG-55 has the hly promoter driving expression of a nonhemolytic fusion of LLO-E7. pGG-55 also contains the prfA gene to select for retention of the plasmid by XFL-7 in vivo.

FIG. 2. Lm-E7 and Lm-LLO-E7 secrete E7. Lm-Gag (lane 1), Lm-E7 (lane 2), Lm-LLO-NP (lane 3), Lm-LLO-E7 (lane 4), XFL-7 (lane 5), and 10403S (lane 6) were grown overnight at 37° C. in Luria-Bertoni broth. Equivalent numbers of bacteria, as determined by OD at 600 nm absorbance, were pelleted and 18 ml of each supernatant was TCA precipitated. E7 expression was analyzed by Western blot. The blot was probed with an anti-E7 mAb, followed by HRP-conjugated anti-mouse (Amersham), then developed using ECL detection reagents.

FIG. 3. Tumor immunotherapeutic efficacy of LLO-E7 fusions. Tumor size in millimeters in mice is shown at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 56 days post tumor-inoculation. Naive mice: open-circles; Lm-LLO-E7: filled circles; Lm-E7: squares; Lm-Gag: open diamonds; and Lm-LLO-NP: filled triangles.

FIG. 4. Splenocytes from Lm-LLO-E7-immunized mice proliferate when exposed to TC-1 cells. C57BL/6 mice were immunized and boosted with Lm-LLO-E7, Lm-E7, or control rLm strains. Splenocytes were harvested 6 days after the boost and plated with irradiated TC-1 cells at the ratios shown. The cells were pulsed with ³H thymidine and harvested. Cpm is defined as (experimental cpm)−(no-TC-1 control).

FIG. 5. Listeria constructs containing PEST regions induce a higher percentage of E7-specific lymphocytes within the tumor. FIG. 5A. representative data from 1 experiment. FIG. 5B. average and SE of data from all 3 experiments.

FIG. 6. E6/E7 transgenic mice develop tumors in their thyroid, where the E7 gene is expressed. Mice were sacrificed at 3 months and had their thyroids removed, sectioned, and stained by hematoxylin and eosin. FIG. 6A. Normal thyroid at 20× magnification. Follicles are of normal size and lined with cuboidal cells with abundant pink cytoplasm (arrow). FIG. 6B. E6/E7 transgenic mouse thyroid. Note the greatly enlarged follicles because of the increased production of colloid. The cuboidal cells lining the follicles are smaller with very little cytoplasm.

FIG. 7. E7 message is expressed in the thyroid and medullary thymic epithelial cells of the E6/E7 transgenic mouse. FIG. 7A. Tissue-specific expression of the E7 transgene is detected in the thyroid only but not the liver, spleen, or whole thymus. Lane 1: Liver; Lane 2: Spleen; Lane 3: Thyroid; Lane 4: Whole Thymus. FIG. 7B. Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) express E7. RT-PCR results are as shown for equivalent amounts of cDNA loaded for 40 cycles. Lane 5: Cathepsin S; Lane 6: E7; Lane 7: Actin; Lane 8: Negative Control.

FIG. 8. RAHYNIVTF peptide plus CpG adjuvant does not protect against TC-1 challenge in E6/E7 transgenic mice. Two groups of transgenic mice received either E7 peptide plus adjuvant or PBS. A third group of wild type C57B1/6 control mice received E7 peptide plus adjuvant. The mice were vaccinated twice intraperitoneally (i.p.), 7 days apart and challenged with 5×10⁴ TC-1 cells 7 days later. Tumors were measured every 5 days until unimmunized mice needed to be sacrificed. Error bars: standard deviations from the mean value.

FIGS. 9A-9B. Vaccines of the present invention induce regression of solid tumors in the E6/E7 transgenic mice in wild-type mice and transgenic mice immunized with LM-LLO-E7 (FIG. 9A), or LM-ActA-E7 (FIG. 9B), left naïve, or treated with LM-NP (control).

FIGS. 10A-10B. FIG. 10A. IV immunization of LM-LLO-E7 is effective at inducing the regression of established tumors at doses as low as 1×10⁶ CFU per mouse. FIG. 10B. Tumors loads for the 2 cohorts in the LM-LLO-E7 clinical trial.

FIGS. 11A-11B. FIG. 11A. Effect of passaging on bacterial load (virulence) of recombinant Listeria vaccine vectors. Top panel. Lm-Gag. Bottom panel. Lm-LLO-E7. FIG. 11B. Effect of passaging on bacterial load of recombinant Lm-E7 in the spleen. Average CFU of live bacteria per milliliter of spleen homogenate from four mice is depicted.

FIG. 12. Induction of antigen-specific CD8⁺ T-cells for HIV-Gag and LLO after administration of passaged Lm-Gag versus unpassaged Lm-Gag. Mice were immunized with 10³ (Figure A, Figure B, Figure E, Figure F) or 10⁵ (Figure C, Figure D, Figure G, Figure H) CFU passaged Listeria vaccine vectors, and antigen-specific T-cells were analyzed. Figures B, D, F, H: unpassaged Listeria vaccine vectors. Figures A-D immune response to MHC class I HIV-Gag peptide. Figures E-H: immune response to an LLO peptide. Figure I: splenocytes from mice immunized with 10⁵ CFU passaged Lm-Gag stimulated with a control peptide from HPV E7.

FIGS. 13A-10B. FIG. 13A. Plasmid isolation throughout LB stability study. FIG. 13B. Plasmid isolation throughout TB stability study. C. Quantitation of TB stability study.

FIG. 14. Numbers of viable bacteria chloramphenicol (CAP)-resistant and CAP-sensitive colony-forming units (CFU) from bacteria grown in LB. Dark bars: CAP⁺; white bars: CAP⁻. The two dark bars and two white bars for each time point represent duplicate samples.

FIG. 15. Numbers of viable bacteria CAP-resistant and CAP-sensitive CFU from bacteria grown in TB. Dark bars: CAP⁺; white bars: CAP. The two dark bars and two white bars for each time point represent duplicate samples.

FIG. 16. Growth of L. monocytogenes following short-term cryopreservation.

FIG. 17. Viability of LB RWCB following storage at −70° C.

FIG. 18. Viability of TB RWCB following storage at −70° C.

FIG. 19. Growth curve of 200 mL LB and TB cultures of Lm-LLO-E7.

FIG. 20. Growth of Lm-LLO-E7 in 4 defined media with and without AA, vitamins and trace elements, at the 50 mL stage. “AA+Vits+TE+” denotes bulk medium, essential components, AA, vitamins and trace elements; “AA+Vits+TE−” denotes bulk medium, essential components, AA, and vitamins; “AA+Vits−TE−” denotes bulk medium, essential components, and AA; “AA−Vits−TE−” denotes bulk medium and essential components.

FIG. 21. Growth of Lm-LLO-E7 in 4 defined media with and without amino acids, vitamins and trace elements, at the 200 mL stage. Groups are labeled as for FIG. 23.

FIG. 22. Growth of Lm-LLO-E7 in 200 mL cultures of defined media with different concentrations of supplements, with and without inorganic nitrogen.

FIG. 23. Growth of Lm-LLO-E7 in 200 mL cultures of defined media supplemented with different concentrations of supplements, with and without glutamine and iron.

FIGS. 24A-C. FIG. 24A. Growth curves of Lm-LLO-E7 in 5 L fermenters in TB and defined media. FIG. 24B. Viability of Lm-LLO-E7 grown in 5 L fermenters in TB to different densities. FIG. 24C. Viability of Lm-LLO-E7 grown in 5 L fermenters in defined media to different densities.

FIG. 25. Percentage of viable cells remaining after storage at −20° C. for 3 days.

FIG. 26. Percentage of viable cells remaining after storage at −70° C. for 3 days

FIGS. 27A-C. FIG. 27A. Percentage of viable cells remaining following snap freezing in liquid nitrogen and storage at −70° C. for 3 days. FIG. 27B. Summary of viability studies for several conditions. FIG. 27C. Growth kinetics of cryopreserved samples after thawing.

FIG. 28. Listeria vaccine vectors grown in defined media effectively protect mice against growth of established tumors. “BHI cultured”—vectors cultured in Brain-Heart Infusion media “Terrific Broth cultured” and “defined media cultured”—vectors cultured in indicated media.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides methods of treating, protecting against, and inducing an immune response against cervical pre-cancer or dysplasia, comprising the step of administering to a subject a recombinant Listeria strain, comprising a fusion peptide that comprising a listeriolysin O (LLO) fragment and an E7 antigen. The present invention also provides methods for inducing an anti-E7 CTL response in a human subject and treating HPV-mediated diseases, disorders, and symptoms, comprising administration of the recombinant Listeria strain.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating a cervical dysplasia in a human subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein and an Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) E7 antigen, whereby the recombinant Listeria strain induces an immune response against the E7 antigen, thereby treating a cervical pre-cancer or dysplasia in a human subject. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain expresses the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain comprises a plasmid that encodes the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the human subject with a recombinant Listeria strain of the present invention. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the human subject with an immunogenic composition comprising an E7 antigen. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the human subject with an immunogenic composition that directs a cell of the subject to express an E7 antigen. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The N-terminal LLO protein fragment and HPV E7 antigen are, in another embodiment, fused directly to one another. In another embodiment, the genes encoding the N-terminal LLO protein fragment and HPV E7 antigen are fused directly to one another. In another embodiment, the N-terminal LLO protein fragment and HPV E7 antigen are attached via a linker peptide. In another embodiment, the N-terminal LLO protein fragment and HPV E7 antigen are attached via a heterologous peptide. In another embodiment, the N-terminal LLO protein fragment is N-terminal to the HPV E7 antigen. In another embodiment, the N-terminal LLO protein fragment is the N-terminal-most portion of the fusion protein. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of protecting a human subject against a cervical cancer, comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein and an HPV E7 antigen, whereby the recombinant Listeria strain induces an immune response against the E7 antigen, thereby protecting a human subject against a cervical cancer. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain expresses the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain comprises a plasmid that encodes the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the human subject with a recombinant Listeria strain of the present invention. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the human subject with an immunogenic composition comprising an E7 antigen. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the human subject with an immunogenic composition that directs a cell of the subject to express an E7 antigen. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for inducing an immune response against a cervical dysplasia in a human subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein and an HPV E7 antigen, thereby inducing an immune response against a cervical dysplasia in a human subject. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain expresses the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain comprises a plasmid that encodes the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the human subject with a recombinant Listeria strain of the present invention. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the human subject with an immunogenic composition comprising an E7 antigen. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the human subject with an immunogenic composition that directs a cell of the subject to express an E7 antigen. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

As provided herein, recombinant Listeria strains expressing LLO-antigen fusions induce anti-tumor immunity (Example 1), elicit antigen-specific T cell proliferation (Example 2), generate antigen-specific, tumor-infiltrating T cells (Example 3), and abrogate central and peripheral tolerance to antigens such as E6 and E7 (Examples 4-11). Thus, vaccines of the present invention are efficacious at inducing immune responses against E7 and E6. Further, the recombinant Listeria strains are safe and improve disease indicators in human subjects (Example 9).

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating a cervical dysplasia in a human subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein and an HPV E7 antigen, whereby the recombinant Listeria strain induces an immune response against the E7 antigen, thereby treating a cervical pre-cancer or dysplasia in a human subject. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain expresses the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain comprises a plasmid that encodes the recombinant polypeptide. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of protecting a human subject against a cervical cancer, comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein and an HPV E7 antigen, whereby the recombinant Listeria strain induces an immune response against the E7 antigen, thereby protecting a human subject against a cervical pre-cancer or dysplasia. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain expresses the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain comprises a plasmid that encodes the recombinant polypeptide. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for inducing an immune response against a cervical dysplasia in a human subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein and an HPV E7 antigen, thereby inducing an immune response against a cervical dysplasia in a human subject. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain expresses the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain comprises a plasmid that encodes the recombinant polypeptide. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

As provided herein, recombinant Listeria strains expressing LLO-antigen fusions induce anti-tumor immunity (Example 3), generate antigen-specific, tumor-infiltrating T cells (Example 3), and abrogate central and peripheral tolerance to antigens such as E6 and E7 (Examples 4-11). Further, recombinant Listeria strains of the present invention are safe and improve disease indicators in human subjects (Example 9).

The N-terminal LLO protein fragment and HPV E7 antigen are, in another embodiment, fused directly to one another. In another embodiment, the genes encoding the N-terminal LLO protein fragment and HPV E7 antigen are fused directly to one another. In another embodiment, the N-terminal LLO protein fragment and HPV E7 antigen are attached via a linker peptide. In another embodiment, the N-terminal LLO protein fragment and HPV E7 antigen are attached via a heterologous peptide. In another embodiment, the N-terminal protein fragment is N-terminal to the HPV E7 antigen. In another embodiment, the N-terminal LLO protein fragment is the N-terminal-most portion of the fusion protein. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for vaccinating a human subject against an HPV, comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein and an HPV E7 antigen, thereby vaccinating a human subject against an HPV. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain expresses the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain comprises a plasmid that encodes the recombinant polypeptide. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for vaccinating a human subject against an HPV, comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising a PEST-like sequence-containing peptide and an HPV E7 antigen, thereby vaccinating a human subject against an HPV. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain expresses the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain comprises a plasmid that encodes the recombinant polypeptide. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for vaccinating a human subject against an HPV, comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein and an HPV E7 antigen, thereby vaccinating a human subject against an HPV. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain expresses the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain comprises a plasmid that encodes the recombinant polypeptide. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

As provided herein, recombinant Listeria strains expressing fusions of an antigen to LLO, -induce anti-E6 and E7 immunity (Example 3), and abrogate central and peripheral tolerance to antigens such as E6 and E7 (Examples 4-11). Further, recombinant Listeria strains of the present invention are safe and improve disease indicators in human subjects (Example 9). Thus, Listeria strains of the present invention can be used to vaccinate a subject against an HPV, thereby preventing or inhibiting HPV-mediated carcinogenesis.

In another embodiment, the subject is at risk for developing an HPV-mediated carcinogenesis (e.g. a cervical pre-cancer or dysplasia). In another embodiment, the subject is HPV-positive. In another embodiment, the subject's husband is HPV-positive. In another embodiment, the subject exhibits cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. In another embodiment, the subject exhibits a squamous intraepithelial lesion. In another embodiment, the subject exhibits a dysplasia in the cervix. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The HPV that is the target of methods of the present invention is, in another embodiment, an HPV 16. In another embodiment, the HPV is an HPV-18. In another embodiment, the HPV is selected from HPV-16 and HPV-18. In another embodiment, the HPV is an HPV-31. In another embodiment, the HPV is an HPV-35. In another embodiment, the HPV is an HPV-39. In another embodiment, the HPV is an HPV-45. In another embodiment, the HPV is an HPV-51. In another embodiment, the HPV is an HPV-52. In another embodiment, the HPV is an HPV-58. In another embodiment, the HPV is a high-risk HPV type. In another embodiment, the HPV is a mucosal HPV type. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for inducing a regression of a cervical dysplasia in a human subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein and an HPV E7 antigen, thereby inducing a regression of a cervical pre-cancer or dysplasia in a human subject. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain expresses the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain comprises a plasmid that encodes the recombinant polypeptide. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for reducing an incidence of relapse of a cervical pre-cancer or dysplasia in a human subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein and an HPV E7 antigen, thereby reducing an incidence of relapse of a cervical pre-cancer or dysplasia in a human subject. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain expresses the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain comprises a plasmid that encodes the recombinant polypeptide. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for suppressing a formation of a cervical dysplasia in a human subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein and an HPV E7 antigen, thereby suppressing a formation of a cervical dysplasia in a human subject. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain expresses the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain comprises a plasmid that encodes the recombinant polypeptide. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for inducing a remission of a cervical pre-cancer or dysplasia in a human subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein and an HPV E7 antigen, thereby inducing a remission of a cervical pre-cancer or dysplasia in a human subject. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain expresses the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain comprises a plasmid that encodes the recombinant polypeptide. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for impeding a growth of a cervical tumor in a human subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein and an HPV E7 antigen, thereby impeding a growth of a cervical tumor in a human subject. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain expresses the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain comprises a plasmid that encodes the recombinant polypeptide. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The cervical tumor targeted by methods of the present invention is, in another embodiment, a squamous cell carcinoma. In another embodiment, the cervical tumor is an adenocarcinoma. In another embodiment, the cervical tumor is an adenosquamous carcinoma. In another embodiment, the cervical tumor is a small cell carcinoma. In another embodiment, the cervical tumor is any other type of cervical tumor known in the art. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, an HPV E6 antigen is utilized instead of or in addition to an E7 antigen in a method of the present invention for treating, protecting against, or inducing an immune response against a cervical pre-cancer or dysplasia.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for inducing an anti-E7 cytotoxic T cell (CTL) response against a cervical dysplasia in a human subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein and an HPV E7 antigen, thereby inducing an anti-E7 CTL response in a human subject. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain comprises a plasmid that encodes the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the subject with a recombinant Listeria strain of the present invention. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the subject with an immunogenic composition comprising an E7 antigen. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of boosting the subject with an immunogenic composition that directs a cell of the subject to express an E7 antigen. In another embodiment, the CTL response is capable of therapeutic efficacy against an HPV-mediated disease, disorder, or symptom. In another embodiment, the CTL response is capable of prophylactic efficacy against an HPV-mediated disease, disorder, or symptom. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating or ameliorating an HPV-mediated disease, disorder, or symptom in a subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject a recombinant Listeria strain, the recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein and an HPV E7 antigen, whereby the recombinant Listeria strain induces an immune response against the E7 antigen, thereby treating or ameliorating an HPV-mediated disease, disorder, or symptom in a subject. In another embodiment, the subject is a human subject. In another embodiment, the subject is any other type of subject known in the art. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The HPV causing the disease, disorder, or symptom is, in another embodiment, an HPV 16. In another embodiment, the HPV is an HPV-18. In another embodiment, the HPV is an HPV-31. In another embodiment, the HPV is an HPV-35. In another embodiment, the HPV is an HPV-39. In another embodiment, the HPV is an HPV-45. In another embodiment, the HPV is an HPV-51. In another embodiment, the HPV is an HPV-52. In another embodiment, the HPV is an HPV-58. In another embodiment, the HPV is a high-risk HPV type. In another embodiment, the HPV is a mucosal HPV type. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, an HPV E6 antigen is utilized instead of or in addition to an E7 antigen in a method of the present invention for treating or ameliorating an HPV-mediated disease, disorder, or symptom.

In another embodiment, an HPV E6 antigen is utilized instead of or in addition to an E7 antigen in a method of the present invention for treating or ameliorating an HPV-mediated disease, disorder, or symptom.

The antigen of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, an HPV E7 protein. In another embodiment, the antigen is an HPV E6 protein. In another embodiment, the antigen is any other HPV protein known in the art. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

“E7 antigen” refers, in another embodiment, to an E7 protein. In another embodiment, the term refers to an E7 fragment. In another embodiment, the term refers to an E7 peptide. In another embodiment, the term refers to any other type of E7 antigen known in the art. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The E7 protein of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, an HPV 16 E7 protein. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is an HPV-18 E7 protein. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is an HPV-31 E7 protein. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is an HPV-35 E7 protein. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is an HPV-39 E7 protein. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is an HPV-45 E7 protein. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is an HPV-51 E7 protein. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is an HPV-52 E7 protein. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is an HPV-58 E7 protein. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is an E7 protein of a high-risk HPV type. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is an E7 protein of a mucosal HPV type. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

“E6 antigen” refers, in another embodiment, to an E6 protein. In another embodiment, the term refers to an E6 fragment. In another embodiment, the term refers to an E6 peptide. In another embodiment, the term refers to any other type of E6 antigen known in the art. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The E6 protein of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, an HPV 16 E6 protein. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is an HPV-18 E6 protein. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is an HPV-31 E6 protein. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is an HPV-35 E6 protein. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is an HPV-39 E6 protein. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is an HPV-45 E6 protein. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is an HPV-51 E6 protein. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is an HPV-52 E6 protein. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is an HPV-58 E6 protein. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is an E6 protein of a high-risk HPV type. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is an E6 protein of a mucosal HPV type. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of vaccinating a human subject against an antigen of interest, the method comprising the step of administering intravenously to the human subject a recombinant Listeria strain comprising or expressing the antigen of interest, wherein the first peptide is selected from an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein, thereby vaccinating a human subject against an antigen of interest.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of vaccinating a human subject against an antigen of interest, the method comprising the step of administering intravenously to the human subject an immunogenic composition, comprising a fusion of a first peptide to the antigen of interest, wherein the first peptide is an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein of interest.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of vaccinating a human subject against an antigen of interest, the method comprising the step of administering intravenously to the human subject a recombinant Listeria strain comprising a recombinant polypeptide, the recombinant polypeptide comprising a first peptide fused to the antigen of interest, wherein the first peptide is an N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of inducing a CTL response in a human subject against an antigen of interest, the method comprising the step of administering to the human subject a recombinant Listeria strain comprising or expressing the antigen of interest, thereby inducing a CTL response in a human subject against an antigen of interest. In another embodiment, the step of administering is intravenous administration. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

As provided herein, recombinant Listeria strains expressing LLO-antigen fusions induce anti-tumor immunity (Example 1), elicit antigen-specific T cell proliferation (Example 2), generate antigen-specific, tumor-infiltrating T cells (Example 3), and abrogate peripheral tolerance to antigens such as E6 and E7 (Examples 4-11). Thus, vaccines of the present invention are efficacious at inducing immune responses against E7 and E6. Further, the recombinant Listeria strains are safe and improve disease indicators in human subjects (Example 9).

In another embodiment, the antigen of interest is HPV-E7. In another embodiment, the antigen is HPV-E6. In another embodiment, the antigen is human papilloma virus antigens E1 and E2 from type HPV-16, -18, -31, -33, -35 or -45 human papilloma viruses

Each antigen represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The immune response induced by methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, a T cell response. In another embodiment, the immune response comprises a T cell response. In another embodiment, the response is a CD8⁺ T cell response. In another embodiment, the response comprises a CD8⁺ T cell response. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The N-terminal LLO protein fragment of methods and compositions of the present invention comprises, in another embodiment, SEQ ID No: 1. In another embodiment, the fragment comprises an LLO signal peptide. In another embodiment, the fragment comprises SEQ ID No: 15. In another embodiment, the fragment consists approximately of SEQ ID No: 15. In another embodiment, the fragment consists essentially of SEQ ID No: 15. In another embodiment, the fragment corresponds to SEQ ID No: 15. In another embodiment, the fragment is homologous to SEQ ID No: 15. In another embodiment, the fragment is homologous to a fragment of SEQ ID No: 15. The ALLO used in some of the Examples was 416 AA long (exclusive of the signal sequence), as 88 residues from the amino terminus which is inclusive of the activation domain containing cysteine 484 were truncated. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that any ALLO without the activation domain, and in particular without cysteine 484, are suitable for methods and compositions of the present invention. In another embodiment, fusion of an E7 or E6 antigen to any ALLO, including the PEST-like AA sequence, SEQ ID NO: 1, enhances cell mediated and anti-tumor immunity of the antigen. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The LLO protein utilized to construct vaccines of the present invention has, in another embodiment, the sequence:

(GenBank Accession No. P13128; SEQ ID NO: 17; nucleic acid sequence is set forth in GenBank Accession No. X15127). MKKIMLVFITLILVSLPIAQQTEAKDASAFNKENSISSMAPPASPPASPK TPIEKKHADEIDKYIQGLDYNKNNVLVYHGDAVTNVPPRKGYKDGNEYIV VEKKKKSINQNNADIQVVNAISSLTYPGALVKANSELVENQPDVLPVKRD SLTLSIDLPGMTNQDNKIVVKNATKSNVNNAVNTLVERWNEKYAQAYPNV SAKIDYDDEMAYSESQLIAKFGTAFKAVNNSLNVNFGAISEGKMQEEVIS FKQIYYNVNVNEPTRPSRFFGKAVTKEQLQALGVNAENPPAYISSVAYGR QVYLKLSTNSHSTKVKAAFDAAVSGKSVSGDVELTNIIKNSSFKAVIYGG SAKDEVQIIDGNLGDLRDILKKGATFNRETPGVPIAYTTNFLKDNELAVI KNNSEYIETTSKAYTDGKINIDHSGGYVAQFNISWDEVNYDPEGNEIVQH KNWSENNKSKLAHFTSSIYLPGNARNINVYAKECTGLAWEWWRTVIDDRN LPLVKNRNISIWGTTLYPKYSNKVDNPIE The first 25 AA of the proprotein corresponding to this sequence are the signal sequence and are cleaved from LLO when it is secreted by the bacterium. Thus, in this embodiment, the full length active LLO protein is 504 residues long. In another embodiment, the above LLO fragment is used as the source of the LLO fragment incorporated in a vaccine of the present invention. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the N-terminal fragment of an LLO protein utilized in compositions and methods of the present invention has the sequence:

(SEQ ID NO: 15) MKKIMLVFITLILVSLPIAQQTEAKDASAFNKENSISSVAPPASPPASPK TPIEKKHADEIDKYIQGLDYNKNNVLVYHGDAVTNVPPRKGYKDGNEYIV VEKKKKSINQNNADIQVVNAISSLTYPGALVKANSELVENQPDVLPVKRD SLTLSIDLPGMTNQDNKIVVKNATKSNVNNAVNTLVERWNEKYAQAYSNV SAKIDYDDEMAYSESQLIAKFGTAFKAVNNSLNVNFGAISEGKMQEEVIS FKQIYYNVNVNEPTRPSRFFGKAVTKEQLQALGVNAENPPAYISSVAYGR QVYLKLSTNSHSTKVKAAFDAAVSGKSVSGDVELTNIIKNSSFKAVIYGG SAKDEVQIIDGNLGDLRDILKKGATFNRETPGVPIAYTTNFLKDNELAVI KNNSEYIETTSKAYTDGKINIDHSGGYVAQFNISWDEVNYD.

In another embodiment, the LLO fragment corresponds to about AA 20-442 of an LLO protein utilized herein.

In another embodiment, the LLO fragment has the sequence:

(SEQ ID NO: 16) MKKIMLVFITLILVSLPIAQQTEAKDASAFNKENSISSVAPPASPPASPK TPIEKKHADEIDKYIQGLDYNKNNVLVYHGDAVTNVPPRKGYKDGNEYIV VEKKKKSINQNNADIQVVNAISSLTYPGALVKANSELVENQPDVLPVKRD SLTLSIDLPGMTNQDNKIVVKNATKSNVNNAVNTLVERWNEKYAQAYSNV SAKIDYDDEMAYSESQLIAKFGTAFKAVNNSLNVNFGAISEGKMQEEVIS FKQIYYNVNVNEPTRPSRFFGKAVTKEQLQALGVNAENPPAYISSVAYGR QVYLKLSTNSHSTKVKAAFDAAVSGKSVSGDVELTNIIKNSSFKAVIYGG SAKDEVQIIDGNLGDLRDILKKGATFNRETPGVPIAYTTNFLKDNELAVI KNNSEYIETTSKAYTD.

In another embodiment, “truncated LLO” or “ALLO” refers to a fragment of LLO that comprises the PEST-like domain. In another embodiment, the terms refer to an LLO fragment that comprises a PEST sequence.

In another embodiment, the terms refer to an LLO fragment that does not contain the activation domain at the amino terminus and does not include cysteine 484. In another embodiment, the terms refer to an LLO fragment that is not hemolytic. In another embodiment, the LLO fragment is rendered non-hemolytic by deletion or mutation of the activation domain. In another embodiment, the LLO fragment is rendered non-hemolytic by deletion or mutation of cysteine 484. In another embodiment, the LLO fragment is rendered non-hemolytic by deletion or mutation at another location. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the LLO fragment consists of about the first 441 AA of the LLO protein. In another embodiment, the LLO fragment consists of about the first 420 AA of LLO. In another embodiment, the LLO fragment is a non-hemolytic form of the LLO protein.

In another embodiment, the LLO fragment contains residues of a homologous LLO protein that correspond to one of the above AA ranges. The residue numbers need not, in another embodiment, correspond exactly with the residue numbers enumerated above; e.g. if the homologous LLO protein has an insertion or deletion, relative to an LLO protein utilized herein, then the residue numbers can be adjusted accordingly.

In another embodiment, the LLO fragment is any other LLO fragment known in the art. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain is administered to the human subject at a dose of 1×10⁹-3.31×10¹⁰ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 5-500×10⁸ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 7-500×10⁸ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 10-500×10⁸ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 20-500×10⁸ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 30-500×10⁸ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 50-500×10⁸ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 70-500×10⁸ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 100-500×10⁸ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 150-500×10⁸ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 5-300×10⁸ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 5-200×10⁸ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 5-150×10⁸ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 5-100×10⁸ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 5-70×10⁸ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 5-50×10⁸ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 5-30×10⁸ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 5-20×10⁸ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 1-30×10⁹ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 1-20×10⁹ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 2-30×10⁹ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 1-10×10⁹ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 2-10×10⁹ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 3-10×10⁹ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 2-7×10⁹ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 2-5×10⁹ CFU. In another embodiment, the dose is 3-5×10⁹ CFU.

In another embodiment, the dose is 1×10⁹ organisms. In another embodiment, the dose is 1.5×10⁹ organisms. In another embodiment, the dose is 2×10⁹ organisms. In another embodiment, the dose is 3×10⁹ organisms. In another embodiment, the dose is 4×10⁹ organisms. In another embodiment, the dose is 5×10⁹ organisms. In another embodiment, the dose is 6×10⁹ organisms. In another embodiment, the dose is 7×10⁹ organisms. In another embodiment, the dose is 8×10⁹ organisms. In another embodiment, the dose is 10×10⁹ organisms. In another embodiment, the dose is 1.5×10¹⁰ organisms. In another embodiment, the dose is 2×10¹⁰ organisms. In another embodiment, the dose is 2.5×10¹⁰ organisms. In another embodiment, the dose is 3×10¹⁰ organisms. In another embodiment, the dose is 3.3×10¹⁰ organisms. In another embodiment, the dose is 4×10¹⁰ organisms. In another embodiment, the dose is 5×10¹⁰ organisms.

Each dose and range of doses represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the recombinant polypeptide of methods of the present invention is expressed by the recombinant Listeria strain. In another embodiment, the expression is mediated by a nucleotide molecule carried by the recombinant Listeria strain. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain expresses the recombinant polypeptide by means of a plasmid that encodes the recombinant polypeptide. In another embodiment, the plasmid comprises a gene encoding a bacterial transcription factor. In another embodiment, the plasmid encodes a Listeria transcription factor. In another embodiment, the transcription factor is prfA. In another embodiment, the transcription factor is any other transcription factor known in the art. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the plasmid comprises a gene encoding a metabolic enzyme. In another embodiment, the metabolic enzyme is a bacterial metabolic enzyme. In another embodiment, the metabolic enzyme is a Listerial metabolic enzyme. In another embodiment, the metabolic enzyme is an amino acid metabolism enzyme. In another embodiment, the amino acid metabolism gene is involved in a cell wall synthesis pathway. In another embodiment, the metabolic enzyme is the product of a D-amino acid aminotransferase gene (dat). In another embodiment, the metabolic enzyme is the product of an alanine racemase gene (dal). In another embodiment, the metabolic enzyme is any other metabolic enzyme known in the art. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a method of present invention further comprises the step of boosting the human subject with a recombinant Listeria strain of the present invention. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain used in the booster inoculation is the same as the strain used in the initial “priming” inoculation. In another embodiment, the booster strain is different from the priming strain. In another embodiment, the same doses are used in the priming and boosting inoculations. In another embodiment, a larger dose is used in the booster. In another embodiment, a smaller dose is used in the booster. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a method of present invention further comprises the step of inoculating the human subject with an immunogenic composition comprising the E7 antigen. In another embodiment, the immunogenic composition comprises a recombinant E7 protein or fragment thereof. In another embodiment, the immunogenic composition comprises a nucleotide molecule expressing a recombinant E7 protein or fragment thereof. In another embodiment, the non-Listerial inoculation is administered after the Listerial inoculation. In another embodiment, the non-Listerial inoculation is administered before the Listerial inoculation. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

“Boosting” refers, in another embodiment, to administration of an additional vaccine dose to a subject. In another embodiment of methods of the present invention, 2 boosts (or a total of 3 inoculations) are administered. In another embodiment, 3 boosts are administered. In another embodiment, 4 boosts are administered. In another embodiment, 5 boosts are administered. In another embodiment, 6 boosts are administered. In another embodiment, more than 6 boosts are administered. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The recombinant Listeria strain of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, a recombinant Listeria monocytogenes strain. In another embodiment, the Listeria strain is a recombinant Listeria seeligeri strain. In another embodiment, the Listeria strain is a recombinant Listeria grayi strain. In another embodiment, the Listeria strain is a recombinant Listeria ivanovii strain. In another embodiment, the Listeria strain is a recombinant Listeria murrayi strain. In another embodiment, the Listeria strain is a recombinant Listeria welshimeri strain. In another embodiment, the Listeria strain is a recombinant strain of any other Listeria species known in the art. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a recombinant Listeria strain of the present invention has been passaged through an animal host. In another embodiment, the passaging maximizes efficacy of the strain as a vaccine vector. In another embodiment, the passaging stabilizes the immunogenicity of the Listeria strain. In another embodiment, the passaging stabilizes the virulence of the Listeria strain. In another embodiment, the passaging increases the immunogenicity of the Listeria strain. In another embodiment, the passaging increases the virulence of the Listeria strain. In another embodiment, the passaging removes unstable sub-strains of the Listeria strain. In another embodiment, the passaging reduces the prevalence of unstable sub-strains of the Listeria strain. In another embodiment, the Listeria strain contains a genomic insertion of the gene encoding the antigen-containing recombinant peptide. In another embodiment, the Listeria strain carries a plasmid comprising the gene encoding the antigen-containing recombinant peptide. In another embodiment, the passaging is performed as described herein (e.g. in Example 12). In another embodiment, the passaging is performed by any other method known in the art. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain utilized in methods of the present invention has been stored in a frozen cell bank. In another embodiment, the recombinant Listeria strain has been stored in a lyophilized cell bank. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the cell bank of methods and compositions of the present invention is a master cell bank. In another embodiment, the cell bank is a working cell bank. In another embodiment, the cell bank is Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) cell bank. In another embodiment, the cell bank is intended for production of clinical-grade material. In another embodiment, the cell bank conforms to regulatory practices for human use. In another embodiment, the cell bank is any other type of cell bank known in the art. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

“Good Manufacturing Practices” are defined, in another embodiment, by (21 CFR 210-211) of the United States Code of Federal Regulations. In another embodiment, “Good Manufacturing Practices” are defined by other standards for production of clinical-grade material or for human consumption; e.g. standards of a country other than the United States. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a recombinant Listeria strain utilized in methods of the present invention is from a batch of vaccine doses.

In another embodiment, a recombinant Listeria strain utilized in methods of the present invention is from a frozen stock produced by a method disclosed herein.

In another embodiment, a recombinant Listeria strain utilized in methods of the present invention is from a lyophilized stock produced by a method disclosed herein.

In another embodiment, a cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses of the present invention exhibits viability upon thawing of greater than 90%. In another embodiment, the thawing follows storage for cryopreservation or frozen storage for 24 hours. In another embodiment, the storage is for 2 days. In another embodiment, the storage is for 3 days. In another embodiment, the storage is for 4 days. In another embodiment, the storage is for 1 week. In another embodiment, the storage is for 2 weeks. In another embodiment, the storage is for 3 weeks. In another embodiment, the storage is for 1 month. In another embodiment, the storage is for 2 months. In another embodiment, the storage is for 3 months. In another embodiment, the storage is for 5 months. In another embodiment, the storage is for 6 months. In another embodiment, the storage is for 9 months. In another embodiment, the storage is for 1 year. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses of the present invention is cryopreserved by a method that comprises growing a culture of the Listeria strain in a nutrient media, freezing the culture in a solution comprising glycerol, and storing the Listeria strain at below −20 degrees Celsius. In another embodiment, the temperature is about −70 degrees Celsius. In another embodiment, the temperature is about ⁻70-⁻80 degrees Celsius.

In another embodiment, a cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses of the present invention is cryopreserved by a method that comprises growing a culture of the Listeria strain in a defined media of the present invention (as described below), freezing the culture in a solution comprising glycerol, and storing the Listeria strain at below −20 degrees Celsius. In another embodiment, the temperature is about −70 degrees Celsius. In another embodiment, the temperature is about ⁻70-⁻80 degrees Celsius. In another embodiment, any defined microbiological media of the present invention may be used in this method. Each defined microbiological media represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment of methods and compositions of the present invention, the culture (e.g. the culture of a Listeria vaccine strain that is used to produce a batch of Listeria vaccine doses) is inoculated from a cell bank. In another embodiment, the culture is inoculated from a frozen stock. In another embodiment, the culture is inoculated from a starter culture. In another embodiment, the culture is inoculated from a colony. In another embodiment, the culture is inoculated at mid-log growth phase. In another embodiment, the culture is inoculated at approximately mid-log growth phase. In another embodiment, the culture is inoculated at another growth phase. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment of methods and compositions of the present invention, the solution used for freezing contains glycerol in an amount of 2-20%. In another embodiment, the amount is 2%. In another embodiment, the amount is 20%. In another embodiment, the amount is 1%. In another embodiment, the amount is 1.5%. In another embodiment, the amount is 3%. In another embodiment, the amount is 4%. In another embodiment, the amount is 5%. In another embodiment, the amount is 2%. In another embodiment, the amount is 2%. In another embodiment, the amount is 7%. In another embodiment, the amount is 9%. In another embodiment, the amount is 10%. In another embodiment, the amount is 12%. In another embodiment, the amount is 14%. In another embodiment, the amount is 16%. In another embodiment, the amount is 18%. In another embodiment, the amount is 222%. In another embodiment, the amount is 25%. In another embodiment, the amount is 30%. In another embodiment, the amount is 35%. In another embodiment, the amount is 40%. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the solution used for freezing contains another colligative additive or additive with anti-freeze properties, in place of glycerol. In another embodiment, the solution used for freezing contains another colligative additive or additive with anti-freeze properties, in addition to glycerol. In another embodiment, the additive is mannitol. In another embodiment, the additive is DMSO. In another embodiment, the additive is sucrose. In another embodiment, the additive is any other colligative additive or additive with anti-freeze properties that is known in the art. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the nutrient media utilized for growing a culture of a Listeria strain is LB. In another embodiment, the nutrient media is TB. In another embodiment, the nutrient media is a defined media. In another embodiment, the nutrient media is a defined media of the present invention. In another embodiment, the nutrient media is any other type of nutrient media known in the art. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment of methods and compositions of the present invention, the step of growing is performed with a shake flask. In another embodiment, the flask is a baffled shake flask. In another embodiment, the growing is performed with a batch fermenter. In another embodiment, the growing is performed with a stirred tank or flask. In another embodiment, the growing is performed with an airflit fermenter. In another embodiment, the growing is performed with a fed batch. In another embodiment, the growing is performed with a continuous cell reactor. In another embodiment, the growing is performed with an immobilized cell reactor. In another embodiment, the growing is performed with any other means of growing bacteria that is known in the art. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a constant pH is maintained during growth of the culture (e.g. in a batch fermenter). In another embodiment, the pH is maintained at about 7.0. In another embodiment, the pH is about 6. In another embodiment, the pH is about 6.5. In another embodiment, the pH is about 7.5. In another embodiment, the pH is about 8. In another embodiment, the pH is 6.5-7.5. In another embodiment, the pH is 6-8. In another embodiment, the pH is 6-7. In another embodiment, the pH is 7-8. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a constant temperature is maintained during growth of the culture. In another embodiment, the temperature is maintained at about 37° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is 37° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is 25° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is 27° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is 28° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is 30° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is 32° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is 34° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is 35° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is 36° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is 38° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is 39° C. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a constant dissolved oxygen concentration is maintained during growth of the culture. In another embodiment, the dissolved oxygen concentration is maintained at 20% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 15% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 16% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 18% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 22% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 25% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 30% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 35% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 40% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 45% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 50% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 55% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 60% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 65% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 70% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 75% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 80% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 85% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 90% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 95% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is 100% of saturation. In another embodiment, the concentration is near 100% of saturation. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment of methods and compositions of the present invention, the culture is grown in media having a maximum volume of 2 liters (L) per vessel. In another embodiment, the media has a maximum volume of 200 ml per vessel. In another embodiment, the media has a maximum volume of 300 ml per vessel. In another embodiment, the media has a maximum volume of 500 ml per vessel. In another embodiment, the media has a maximum volume of 750 ml per vessel. In another embodiment, the media has a maximum volume of 1 L per vessel. In another embodiment, the media has a maximum volume of 1.5 L per vessel. In another embodiment, the media has a maximum volume of 2.5 L per vessel. In another embodiment, the media has a maximum volume of 3 L per vessel.

In another embodiment, the media has a minimum volume of 2 L per vessel. In another embodiment, the media has a minimum volume of 500 ml per vessel. In another embodiment, the media has a minimum volume of 750 ml per vessel. In another embodiment, the media has a minimum volume of 1 L per vessel. In another embodiment, the media has a minimum volume of 1.5 L per vessel. In another embodiment, the media has a minimum volume of 2.5 L per vessel. In another embodiment, the media has a minimum volume of 3 L per vessel. In another embodiment, the media has a minimum volume of 4 L per vessel. In another embodiment, the media has a minimum volume of 5 L per vessel. In another embodiment, the media has a minimum volume of 6 L per vessel. In another embodiment, the media has a minimum volume of 8 L per vessel. In another embodiment, the media has a minimum volume of 10 L per vessel.

Each volume represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment of methods and compositions of the present invention, the step of freezing or lyophilization is performed when the culture has an OD₆₀₀ of 0.7 units. In another embodiment, the culture has an OD₆₀₀ of 0.8 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is about 0.7 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is about 0.8 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 0.6 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 0.65 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 0.75 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 0.85 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 0.9 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 1 unit. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 0.6-0.9 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 0.65-0.9 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 0.7-0.9 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 0.75-0.9 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 0.8-0.9 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 0.75-1 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 0.9-1 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is greater than 1 unit.

In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is significantly greater than 1 unit (e.g. when the culture is produced in a batch fermenter). In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 7.5-8.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 1.2 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 1.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 2 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 2.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 3 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 3.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 4 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 4.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 5.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 6 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 6.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 7 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 7.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 8 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 8.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 9 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 9.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 10 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is more than 10 units.

In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 1-2 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 1.5-2.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 2-3 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 2.5-3.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 3-4 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 3.5-4.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 4-5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 4.5-5.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 5-6 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 5.5-6.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 1-3 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 1.5-3.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 2-4 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 2.5-4.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 3-5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 4-6 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 5-7 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 2-5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 3-6 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 4-7 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 5-8 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 1.2-7.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 1.5-7.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 2-7.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 2.5-7.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 3-7.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 3.5-7.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 4-7.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 4.5-7.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 5-7.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 5.5-7.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 6-7.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 6.5-7.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 7-7.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is more than 10 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 1.2-8.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 1.5-8.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 2-8.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 2.5-8.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 3-8.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 3.5-8.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 4-8.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 4.5-8.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 5-8.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 5.5-8.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 6-8.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 6.5-8.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 7-8.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 7.5-8.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 8-8.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 9.5-8.5 units. In another embodiment, the OD₆₀₀ is 10 units.

In another embodiment, the step of freezing or lyophilization is performed when the culture has a biomass of 1×10⁹ colony-forming units (CFU)/ml. In another embodiment, the biomass is 1.5×10⁹ CFR/ml. In another embodiment, the biomass is 1.5×10⁹ CFR/ml. In another embodiment, the biomass is 2×10⁹ CFR/ml. In another embodiment, the biomass is 3×10⁹ CFR/ml. In another embodiment, the biomass is 4×10⁹ CFR/ml. In another embodiment, the biomass is 5×10⁹ CFR/ml. In another embodiment, the biomass is 7×10⁹ CFR/ml. In another embodiment, the biomass is 9×10⁹ CFR/ml. In another embodiment, the biomass is 10×10⁹ CFR/ml. In another embodiment, the biomass is 12×10⁹ CFR/ml. In another embodiment, the biomass is 15×10⁹ CFR/ml. In another embodiment, the biomass is 20×10⁹ CFR/ml. In another embodiment, the biomass is 25×10⁹ CFR/ml. In another embodiment, the biomass is 30×10⁹ CFR/ml. In another embodiment, the biomass is 33×10⁹ CFR/ml. In another embodiment, the biomass is 40×10⁹ CFR/ml. In another embodiment, the biomass is 50×10⁹ CFR/ml. In another embodiment, the biomass is more than 50×10⁹ CFR/ml.

Each number and range of OD₆₀₀ readings and culture biomass measurements represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment of methods and compositions of the present invention, the Listeria culture is flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen, followed by storage at the final freezing temperature. In another embodiment, the culture is frozen in a more gradual manner; e.g. by placing in a vial of the culture in the final storage temperature. In another embodiment, the culture is frozen by any other method known in the art for freezing a bacterial culture. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment of methods and compositions of the present invention, the storage temperature of the culture is between ⁻20 and ⁻80 degrees Celsius (° C.). In another embodiment, the temperature is significantly below ⁻20° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is not warmer than 70° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is 70° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is about 70° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is ⁻20° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is about ⁻20° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is ⁻30° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is ⁻40° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is ⁻50° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is ⁻60° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is ⁻80° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is ⁻30-⁻ 70° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is ⁻40-⁻ 70° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is ⁻50-⁻ 70° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is ⁻60-⁻70° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is ⁻30-⁻80° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is ⁻40-⁻80° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is ⁻50-⁻80° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is ⁻60-⁻80° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is ⁻70-⁻80° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is colder than ⁻70° C. In another embodiment, the temperature is colder than ⁻80° C. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment of methods and compositions of the present invention, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for a maximum of 24 hours. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for maximum of 2 days. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for maximum of 3 days. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for maximum of 4 days. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for maximum of 1 week. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for maximum of 2 weeks. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for maximum of 3 weeks. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for maximum of 1 month. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for maximum of 2 months. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for maximum of 3 months. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for maximum of 5 months. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for maximum of 6 months. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for maximum of 9 months. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for maximum of 1 year.

In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for a minimum of 1 week. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for minimum of 2 weeks. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for minimum of 3 weeks. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for minimum of 1 month. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for minimum of 2 months. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for minimum of 3 months. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for minimum of 5 months. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for minimum of 6 months. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for minimum of 9 months. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for minimum of 1 year. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for minimum of 1.5 years. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for minimum of 2 years. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for minimum of 3 years. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for minimum of 5 years. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for minimum of 7 years. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for minimum of 10 years. In another embodiment, the cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is for longer than 10 years.

Each length of cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment of methods and compositions of the present invention, the Listeria bacteria exhibit exponential growth essentially immediately after thawing following an extended period of cryopreservation or frozen storage (Example 14). In another embodiment, the Listeria bacteria exhibit exponential growth essentially immediately after reconstitution following an extended period of lyophilization. In another embodiment, “essentially immediately” refers to within about 1 hour after inoculating fresh media with cells from the cell bank or starter culture. In another embodiment, the bacteria exhibit exponential growth shortly after (e.g. in various embodiments, after 10 minutes (min), 20 min, 30 min, 40 min, 50 min, 1 hour, 75 min, 90 min, 105 min, or 2 hours) thawing following the period of cryopreservation or storage. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The “extended period” of cryopreservation, frozen storage, or lyophilization is, in another embodiment, 1 month. In another embodiment, the period is 2 months. In another embodiment, the period is 3 months. In another embodiment, the period is 5 months. In another embodiment, the period is 6 months. In another embodiment, the period is 9 months. In another embodiment, the period is 1 year. In another embodiment, the period is 1.5 years. In another embodiment, the period is 2 years. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, “exponential growth” refers to a doubling time that is close to the maximum observed for the conditions (e.g. media type, temperature, etc.) in which the culture is growing. In another embodiment, “exponential growth” refers to a doubling time that is reasonable constant several hours (e.g. 1 hour, 1.5 hours, 2 hours, or 2.5 hours) after dilution of the culture; optionally following a brief recovery period. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a Listeria vaccine strain of methods and compositions of the present invention retains a viability of over 90% after thawing following 14 days of cryopreservation (Example 14). In another embodiment, the viability upon thawing is close to 100% following the period of cryopreservation. In another embodiment, the viability upon thawing is about 90%. In another embodiment, the viability upon thawing is close to 90%. In another embodiment, the viability upon thawing is at least 90%. In another embodiment, the viability upon thawing is over 80%. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a Listeria vaccine strain of methods and compositions of the present invention retains a viability of over 90% after reconstitution following lyophilization. In another embodiment, the viability upon thawing is close to 100% following the period of lyophilization. In another embodiment, the viability upon thawing is about 90%. In another embodiment, the viability upon thawing is close to 90%. In another embodiment, the viability upon thawing is at least 90%. In another embodiment, the viability upon thawing is over 80%. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses of the present invention is grown in a defined microbiological media, comprising: (1) between about 0.3 and about 0.6 g/L of methionine; and (2) effective amounts of: (a) cysteine; (b) a pH buffer; (c) a carbohydrate; (d) a divalent cation; (e) ferric or ferrous ions; (f) glutamine or another nitrogen source; (g) riboflavin; (h) thioctic acid (also known as lipoic acid); (i) another or more components selected from leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine; (j) one or more components selected from adenine, biotin, thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide; and (k) one or more components selected from cobalt, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, calcium, and citrate.

In another embodiment, the cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses is grown in a defined microbiological media, comprising: (1) between about 0.3 and about 0.6 g/L of cysteine; and (2) effective amounts of: (a) methionine; (b) a pH buffer; (c) a carbohydrate; (d) a divalent cation; (e) ferric or ferrous ions; (f) glutamine or another nitrogen source; (g) riboflavin; (h) thioctic acid; (i) one or more components selected from leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine; (j) one or more components selected from adenine, biotin, thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide; and (k) one or more components selected from cobalt, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, calcium, and citrate.

In another embodiment, the cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses is grown in a defined microbiological media, comprising: (1) between about 0.00123-0.00246 moles of ferric or ferrous ions per liter; and (2) effective amounts of: (a) a pH buffer; (b) a carbohydrate; (c) a divalent cation; (d) methionine; (e) cysteine; (f) glutamine or another nitrogen source; (g) riboflavin; (h) thioctic acid; (i) one or more components selected from leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine; (j) one or more components selected from adenine, biotin, thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide; and (k) one or more components selected from cobalt, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, calcium, and citrate.

In another embodiment, the cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses is grown in a defined microbiological media, comprising: (1) between about 1.8-3.6 g/L of glutamine or another nitrogen source; and (2) effective amounts of: (a) a pH buffer; (b) a carbohydrate: (c) a divalent cation; (d) methionine (e) cysteine; (f) ferric or ferrous ions (g) riboflavin (h); thioctic acid; (i) one or more components selected from leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine; (j) one or more components selected from adenine, biotin, thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide; and (k) one or more components selected from cobalt, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, calcium, and citrate.

In another embodiment, the cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses is grown in a defined microbiological media, comprising: (1) between about 15 and about 30 mg/L of riboflavin; and (2) effective amounts of: (a) a pH buffer; (b) a carbohydrate; (c) a divalent cation; (d) methionine; (e) cysteine; (f) ferric or ferrous ions; (g) glutamine or another nitrogen source; (h) thioctic acid; (i) one or more components selected from leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine; (j) one or more components selected from adenine, biotin, thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide; and (k) one or more components selected from cobalt, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, calcium, and citrate.

In another embodiment, the cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses is grown in a defined microbiological media, comprising (1) between about 0.3 and about 0.6 g/L of thioctic acid; and (2) effective amounts of: (a) a pH buffer; (b) a carbohydrate (c) a divalent cation; (d) methionine (e) cysteine; (f) ferric or ferrous ions; (g) glutamine or another nitrogen source; (h) riboflavin; (i) one or more components selected from leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine; (j) one or more components selected from adenine, biotin, thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide; and (k) one or more components selected from cobalt, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, calcium, and citrate.

In another embodiment, the cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses is grown in a defined microbiological media, comprising: (1) between about 0.3 and about 0.6 g/L each of methionine and cysteine; (2) between about 0.00123 and 0.00246 moles of ferric or ferrous ions per liter; (3) between about 1.8 and about 3.6 g/L of glutamine or another nitrogen source; (4) between about 0.3 and about 0.6 g/L of thioctic acid; (5) between about 15 and about 30 mg/L of riboflavin; and (6) effective amounts of: (a) a pH buffer; (b) a carbohydrate; (c) a divalent cation; (d) one or more components selected from leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine; (e) one or more components selected from adenine, biotin, thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide; and (f) one or more components selected from cobalt, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, calcium, and citrate.

In another embodiment, the cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses is grown in a defined microbiological media, comprising: (1) between about 0.3 and about 0.6 g/L each of methionine and cysteine; (2) between about 0.00123 and 0.00246 moles of ferric or ferrous ions per liter; (3) between about 1.8 and about 3.6 g/L of glutamine or another nitrogen source; (4) between about 0.3 and about 0.6 g/L of thioctic acid; (5) between about 15 and about 30 mg/L of riboflavin; and (6) effective amounts of: (a) a pH buffer; (b) a carbohydrate; (c) a divalent cation; (d) leucine; (e) isoleucine; (f) valine; (g) arginine; (h) histidine; (i) tryptophan; (j) phenylalanine; (k) one or more components selected from adenine, biotin, thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide; and (1) one or more components selected from cobalt, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, calcium, and citrate.

In another embodiment, the cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses is grown in a defined microbiological media, comprising (1) between about 0.3 and about 0.6 g/L each of one or more components selected from leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine; and (2) effective amounts of: (a) a pH buffer; (b) a carbohydrate; (c) a divalent cation; (d) methionine; (e) cysteine; (f) ferric or ferrous ions; (g) glutamine or another nitrogen source; (h) riboflavin; (i) thioctic acid; (j) one or more components selected from adenine, biotin, thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide; and (k) one or more components selected from cobalt, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, calcium, and citrate.

In another embodiment, the cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses is grown in a defined microbiological media, comprising (1) between about 0.3 and about 0.6 g/L each of leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine; and (2) effective amounts of: (a) a pH buffer; (b) a carbohydrate; (c) a divalent cation; (d) methionine; (e) cysteine; (f) ferric or ferrous ions; (g) glutamine or another nitrogen source; (h) riboflavin; (i) thioctic acid; (j) one or more components selected from adenine, biotin, thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide; and (k) one or more components selected from cobalt, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, calcium, and citrate.

In another embodiment, the cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses is grown in a defined microbiological media, comprising (1) between about 0.2 and about 0.75 of one or more components selected from biotin and adenine; and (2) effective amounts of: (a) a pH buffer; (b) a carbohydrate; (c) a divalent cation; (d) methionine; (e) cysteine; (f) ferric or ferrous ions; (g) glutamine or another nitrogen source; (h) riboflavin; (i) thioctic acid; (j) one or more components selected from leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine; (k) one or more components selected from thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide; and (l) one or more components selected from cobalt, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, calcium, and citrate.

In another embodiment, the cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses is grown in a defined microbiological media, comprising (1) between about 3 and about 6 mg/L each of one or more components selected from thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide; and (2) effective amounts of: (a) a pH buffer; (b) a carbohydrate; (c) a divalent cation; (d) methionine; (e) cysteine; (f) ferric or ferrous ions; (g) glutamine or another nitrogen source; (h) riboflavin; (i) thioctic acid; (j) one or more components selected from leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine; (k) biotin; (l) adenine; and (l) one or more components selected from cobalt, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, calcium, and citrate.

In another embodiment, the cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses is grown in a defined microbiological media, comprising: (1) between about 0.2 and about 0.75 mg/L each of one or more components selected from biotin and adenine; (2) between about 3 and about 6 mg/L each of one or more components selected from thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide; and (3) effective amounts of: (a) a pH buffer; (b) a carbohydrate; (c) a divalent cation; (d) methionine; (e) cysteine; (f) ferric or ferrous ions; (g) glutamine or another nitrogen source; (h) riboflavin; (i) thioctic acid; (j) one or more components selected from leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine; and (k) one or more components selected from cobalt, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, calcium, and citrate.

In another embodiment, the cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses is grown in a defined microbiological media, comprising: (1) between about 0.005 and about 0.02 g/L each of one or more components selected from cobalt, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, and calcium; and (2) effective amounts of: (a) a pH buffer; (b) a carbohydrate; (c) a divalent cation; (d) methionine; (e) cysteine; (f) ferric or ferrous ions; (g) glutamine or another nitrogen source; (h) riboflavin; (i) thioctic acid; (j) one or more components selected from leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine; and (k) one or more components selected from adenine, biotin, thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide.

In another embodiment, the cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses is grown in a defined microbiological media, comprising: (1) between about 0.4 and about 1 g/L of citrate; and (2) effective amounts of: (a) a pH buffer; (b) a carbohydrate; (c) a divalent cation; (d) methionine; (e) cysteine; (f) ferric or ferrous ions; (g) glutamine or another nitrogen source; (h) riboflavin; (i) thioctic acid; (j) one or more components selected from leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine; (k) one or more components selected from cobalt, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, and calcium; and (l) one or more components selected from adenine, biotin, thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide.

In another embodiment, the cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses is grown in a defined microbiological media, comprising: (1) between about 0.3 and about 0.6 g/L each of methionine and cysteine; (2) between about 0.00123 and 0.00246 moles of ferric or ferrous ions per liter; (3) between about 1.8 and about 3.6 g/L of glutamine or another nitrogen source; (4) between about 0.3 and about 0.6 g/L of thioctic acid; (5) between about 15 and about 30 mg/L of riboflavin; (6) between about 0.3 and about 0.6 g/L each of one or more components selected from leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine; (7) between about 0.2 and about 0.75 mg/L each of one or more components selected from biotin and adenine; (8) between about 3 and about 6 mg/L each of one or more components selected from thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide; (9) between about 0.005 and about 0.02 g/L each of one or more components selected from cobalt, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, and calcium; (10) between about 0.4 and about 1 g/L of citrate; and (11) and effective amounts of: (a) a pH buffer; (b) a carbohydrate; and (c) a divalent cation.

In another embodiment, the cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses is grown in a defined microbiological media, comprising: (1) between about 0.3 and about 0.6 g/L each of methionine and cysteine; (2) between about 0.00123 and 0.00246 moles of ferric or ferrous ions per liter; (3) between about 1.8 and about 3.6 g/L of glutamine or another nitrogen source; (4) between about 0.3 and about 0.6 g/L of thioctic acid; (5) between about 15 and about 30 mg/L of riboflavin; (6) between about 0.3 and about 0.6 g/L each of leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine; (7) between about 0.2 and about 0.75 mg/L each of one or more components selected from biotin and adenine; (8) between about 3 and about 6 mg/L each of one or more components selected from thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide; (9) between about 0.005 and about 0.02 g/L each of one or more components selected from cobalt, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, and calcium; (10) between about 0.4 and about 1 g/L of citrate; and (11) and effective amounts of: (a) a pH buffer; (b) a carbohydrate; and (c) a divalent cation.

In another embodiment, the cell bank, frozen stock, or batch of vaccine doses is grown in a defined microbiological media, comprising: (1) between about 0.3 and about 0.6 g/L each of methionine and cysteine; (2) between about 0.00123 and 0.00246 moles of ferric or ferrous ions per liter; (3) between about 1.8 and about 3.6 g/L of glutamine or another nitrogen source; (4) between about 0.3 and about 0.6 g/L of thioctic acid; (5) between about 15 and about 30 mg/L of riboflavin; (6) between about 0.3 and about 0.6 g/L each of leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine; (7) between about 0.2 and about 0.75 mg/L each of biotin and adenine; (8) between about 3 and about 6 mg/L each of thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide; (9) between about 0.005 and about 0.02 g/L each of one or more components selected from cobalt, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, and calcium; (10) between about 0.4 and about 1 g/L of citrate; and (11) and effective amounts of: (a) a pH buffer; (b) a carbohydrate; and (c) a divalent cation.

In another embodiment, a defined microbiological media of the present invention further comprises an aqueous solvent. In another embodiment, the aqueous solvent is water. In another embodiment, the aqueous solvent is any other aqueous solvent known in the art. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The carbohydrate utilized in methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, glucose. In another embodiment, the carbohydrate is lactose. In another embodiment, the carbohydrate is fructose. In another embodiment, the carbohydrate is mannose. In another embodiment, the carbohydrate is cellobiose. In another embodiment, the carbohydrate is trehalose. In another embodiment, the carbohydrate is maltose. In another embodiment, the carbohydrate is glycerol. In another embodiment, the carbohydrate is glucosamine. In another embodiment, the carbohydrate is N-acetylglucosamine. In another embodiment, the carbohydrate is N-acetylmuramic acid. In another embodiment, the carbohydrate is any other carbohydrate that can be utilized by Listeria. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the amount of a carbohydrate present in a defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is between about 12-18 grams/liter (g/L). In another embodiment, the amount is 15 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 10 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 9 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 11 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 12 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 13 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 14 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 16 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 17 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 18 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 19 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 20 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is more than 20 g/L.

In another embodiment, the amount is 9-15 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 10-15 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 11-15 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 12-16 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 13-17 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 14-18 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 16-19 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 17-20 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 10-20 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 12-20 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 15-20 g/L.

In another embodiment, the total amount of carbohydrate in the media is one of the above amounts. In another embodiment, the amount of one of the carbohydrates in the media is one of the above amounts. In another embodiment, the amount of each of the carbohydrates in the media is one of the above amounts.

Each of the above amounts of carbohydrates represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The cobalt present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present as a cobalt ion. In another embodiment, the cobalt is present as a cobalt salt. In another embodiment, the salt is cobalt chloride. In another embodiment, the salt is any other cobalt salt known in the art. In another embodiment, the cobalt is present as any other form of cobalt known in the art.

In another embodiment, the cobalt salt is a hydrate (e.g. cobalt chloride hexahydrate). In another embodiment, the cobalt salt is anhydrous. In another embodiment, the cobalt salt is any other form of a cobalt salt known in the art. Each of the above forms of cobalt represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

A hydrate of a component of a defined media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, a monohydrate. In another embodiment, the hydrate is a dihydrate. In another embodiment, the hydrate is a trihydrate. In another embodiment, the hydrate is a tetrahydrate. In another embodiment, the hydrate is a pentahydrate. In another embodiment, the hydrate is a hexahydrate. In another embodiment, the hydrate is a heptahydrate. In another embodiment, the hydrate is any other hydrate known in the art. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The copper present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present as a copper ion. In another embodiment, the copper ion is a copper (I) ion. In another embodiment, the copper ion is a copper (II) ion. In another embodiment, the copper ion is a copper (III) ion.

In another embodiment, the copper is present as a copper salt. In another embodiment, the salt is copper chloride. In another embodiment, the salt is any other copper salt known in the art. In another embodiment, the copper is present as any other form of copper known in the art.

In another embodiment, the copper salt is a hydrate (e.g. copper chloride dihydrate). In another embodiment, the copper salt is anhydrous. In another embodiment, the copper salt is any other form of a copper salt known in the art. Each of the above forms of copper represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The boron present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present as a borate ion. In another embodiment, the boron is present as a borate acid (e.g. boric acid, H₃BO₃). In another embodiment, the boron is present as any other form of boron known in the art.

In another embodiment, the borate salt or borate acid is a hydrate. In another embodiment, the borate salt or borate acid is anhydrous. In another embodiment, the borate salt or borate acid is any other form of a borate salt or borate acid known in the art. Each of the above forms of boron represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The manganese present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present as a manganese ion. In another embodiment, the manganese is present as a manganese salt. In another embodiment, the salt is manganese sulfate. In another embodiment, the salt is any other manganese salt known in the art. In another embodiment, the manganese is present as any other form of manganese known in the art.

In another embodiment, the manganese salt is a hydrate (e.g. manganese sulfate monohydrate). In another embodiment, the manganese salt is anhydrous. In another embodiment, the manganese salt is any other form of a manganese salt known in the art. Each of the above forms of manganese represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The molybdenum present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present as a molybdate ion. In another embodiment, the molybdenum is present as a molybdate salt. In another embodiment, the salt is sodium molybdate. In another embodiment, the salt is any other molybdate salt known in the art. In another embodiment, the molybdenum is present as any other form of molybdenum known in the art.

In another embodiment, the molybdate salt is a hydrate (e.g. sodium molybdate dihydrate). In another embodiment, the molybdate salt is anhydrous. In another embodiment, the molybdate salt is any other form of a molybdate salt known in the art. Each of the above forms of molybdenum represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The zinc present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present as a zinc ion. In another embodiment, the zinc is present as a zinc salt. In another embodiment, the salt is zinc chloride. In another embodiment, the salt is any other zinc salt known in the art. In another embodiment, the zinc is present as any other form of zinc known in the art.

In another embodiment, the zinc salt is a hydrate (e.g. zinc chloride heptahydrate). In another embodiment, the zinc salt is anhydrous. In another embodiment, the zinc salt is any other form of a zinc salt known in the art. Each of the above forms of zinc represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The iron present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present as a ferric ion. In another embodiment, the iron is present as a ferrous ion. In another embodiment, the iron is present as a ferric salt. In another embodiment, the iron is present as a ferrous salt. In another embodiment, the salt is ferric sulfate. In another embodiment, the salt is ferric citrate. In another embodiment, the salt is any other ferric salt known in the art. In another embodiment, the salt is any other ferrous salt known in the art. In another embodiment, the iron is present as any other form of iron known in the art.

In another embodiment, the ferric or ferrous salt is a hydrate (e.g. ferric sulfate monohydrate). In another embodiment, the ferric or ferrous salt is anhydrous. In another embodiment, the ferric or ferrous salt is any other form of a ferric or ferrous salt known in the art. Each of the above forms of iron represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The calcium present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present as a calcium ion. In another embodiment, the calcium is present as a calcium salt. In another embodiment, the salt is calcium chloride. In another embodiment, the salt is any other calcium salt known in the art. In another embodiment, the calcium is present as any other form of calcium known in the art.

In another embodiment, the calcium salt is a hydrate (e.g. calcium chloride dihydrate). In another embodiment, the calcium salt is anhydrous. In another embodiment, the calcium salt is any other form of a calcium salt known in the art. Each of the above forms of calcium represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The citrate present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present as a citrate ion. In another embodiment, the citrate is present as a citrate salt. In another embodiment, the citrate is present as a citrate acid (e.g. citric acid). In another embodiment, the citrate is present as both ferric citrate and citric acid (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the citrate is present as any other form of citrate known in the art.

In another embodiment, the citrate salt or citrate acid is a hydrate. In another embodiment, the citrate salt or citrate acid is anhydrous. In another embodiment, the citrate salt or citrate acid is any other form of a citrate salt or citrate acid known in the art. Each of the above forms of citrate represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The cobalt present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present in an amount of 0.02 g/L (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is about 0.02 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.003 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.005 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.007 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.01 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.015 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.025 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.03 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.003-0.006 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.005-0.01 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.01-0.02 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.02-0.04 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.03-0.06 g/L.

In another embodiment, the cobalt is present in an amount that is the molar equivalent of 0.02 g/L of cobalt chloride hexahydrate. In another embodiment, the amount of cobalt present is the molar equivalent of about 0.02 g/L of cobalt chloride hexahydrate. In another embodiment, the amount of cobalt present is the molar equivalent of another of the above amounts or ranges of cobalt chloride hexahydrate. Each of the above amounts or ranges of cobalt represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The copper present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present in an amount of 0.019 g/L (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is about 0.019 g/L. In other embodiments, the amount is any of the amounts or ranges listed above for cobalt.

In another embodiment, the copper is present in an amount that is the molar equivalent of 0.019 g/L of copper chloride dihydrate. In another embodiment, the amount of copper present is the molar equivalent of about 0.019 g/L of copper chloride dihydrate. In another embodiment, the amount of copper present is the molar equivalent of copper chloride dihydrate in any of the amounts or ranges listed above for cobalt. Each of the above amounts or ranges of copper represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The borate present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present in an amount of 0.016 g/L (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is about 0.016 g/L. In other embodiments, the amount is any of the amounts or ranges listed above for cobalt.

In another embodiment, the borate is present in an amount that is the molar equivalent of 0.016 g/L of boric acid. In another embodiment, the amount of borate present is the molar equivalent of about 0.016 g/L of boric acid. In another embodiment, the amount of borate present is the molar equivalent of boric acid in any of the amounts or ranges listed above for cobalt. Each of the above amounts or ranges of borate represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The manganese present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present in an amount of 0.016 g/L (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is about 0.016 g/L. In other embodiments, the amount is any of the amounts or ranges listed above for cobalt.

In another embodiment, the manganese is present in an amount that is the molar equivalent of 0.016 g/L of manganese sulfate monohydrate. In another embodiment, the amount of manganese present is the molar equivalent of about 0.016 g/L of manganese sulfate monohydrate. In another embodiment, the amount of manganese present is the molar equivalent of manganese sulfate monohydrate in any of the amounts or ranges listed above for cobalt. Each of the above amounts or ranges of manganese represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The molybdenum present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present in an amount of 0.02 g/L (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is about 0.02 g/L. In other embodiments, the amount is any of the amounts or ranges listed above for cobalt.

In another embodiment, the molybdenum is present in an amount that is the molar equivalent of 0.2 g/L of sodium molybdate dihydrate. In another embodiment, the amount of molybdenum present is the molar equivalent of about 0.02 g/L of sodium molybdate dihydrate. In another embodiment, the amount of molybdenum present is the molar equivalent of sodium molybdate dihydrate in any of the amounts or ranges listed above for cobalt. Each of the above amounts or ranges of molybdenum represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The zinc present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present in an amount of 0.02 g/L (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is about 0.02 g/L. In other embodiments, the amount is any of the amounts or ranges listed above for cobalt.

In another embodiment, the zinc is present in an amount that is the molar equivalent of 0.02 g/L of zinc chloride heptahydrate. In another embodiment, the amount of zinc present is the molar equivalent of about 0.02 g/L of zinc chloride heptahydrate. In another embodiment, the amount of zinc present is the molar equivalent of zinc chloride heptahydrate in any of the amounts or ranges listed above for cobalt. Each of the above amounts or ranges of zinc represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, ferric sulfate or a related compound is present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention. In another embodiment, the ferric sulfate or related compound is present in an amount of 0.01 g/L (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is about 0.01 g/L. In other embodiments, the amount is any of the amounts or ranges listed above for cobalt.

In another embodiment, the iron is present in an amount that is the molar equivalent of 0.01 g/L of ferric sulfate. In another embodiment, the amount of iron present is the molar equivalent of about 0.01 g/L of ferric sulfate. In another embodiment, the amount of iron present is the molar equivalent of ferric sulfate in any of the amounts or ranges listed above for cobalt. Each of the above amounts or ranges of iron represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The calcium present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present in an amount of 0.01 g/L (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is about 0.01 g/L. In other embodiments, the amount is any of the amounts or ranges listed above for cobalt.

In another embodiment, the calcium is present in an amount that is the molar equivalent of 0.01 g/L of calcium chloride dihydrate. In another embodiment, the amount of calcium present is the molar equivalent of about 0.01 g/L of calcium chloride dihydrate. In another embodiment, the amount of calcium present is the molar equivalent of calcium chloride dihydrate in any of the amounts or ranges listed above for cobalt. Each of the above amounts or ranges of calcium represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The citrate present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present in an amount of 0.9 g/L (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is 0.6 g/L in the form of citric acid (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is 0.4 g/L in the form of ferric citrate (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is 0.6 g/L in the form of citric acid and 0.4 g/L in the form of ferric citrate (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is about 0.6 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.1 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.2 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.3 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.4 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.5 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.7 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.8 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 1 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is more than 1 g/L.

In another embodiment, the citrate is present in an amount that is the molar equivalent of 0.6 g/L of citric acid. In another embodiment, the amount of citrate present is the molar equivalent of about 0.6 g/L of citric acid. In another embodiment, the amount of citrate present is the molar equivalent of about 0.4 g/L of ferric citrate. In another embodiment, the amount of citrate present is the molar equivalent of 0.4 g/L of ferric citrate. In another embodiment, the amount of citrate present is the molar equivalent of 0.6 g/L of citric acid and 0.4 g/L of ferric citrate. In another embodiment, the amount of citrate present is the about molar equivalent of 0.6 g/L of citric acid and 0.4 g/L of ferric citrate. In another embodiment, the amount of citrate present is the molar equivalent of citric acid in any of the amounts or ranges listed above for citrate. Each of the above amounts or ranges of citrate represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

One or more of the adenine, biotin, thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention are, in another embodiment, present as the free compound. In another embodiment, one of the above compounds is present as a salt thereof. In another embodiment, one of the above compounds is present as a derivative thereof. In another embodiment, one of the above compounds is present as a hydrate thereof. In other embodiments, the salt, derivative, or hydrate can be any salt, derivative, or hydrate known in the art. Each of the above forms of adenine, biotin, thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The thiamine (vitamin B1) present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present in the form of thiamine HCl. In another embodiment, the thiamine is present as any other salt, derivative, or hydrate of thiamine known in the art. In another embodiment, another form of vitamin B1 is substituted for thiamine. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the thiamine is present in an amount of 4 mg/L (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is about 0.5 mg/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.7 mg/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 1 mg/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 1.5 mg/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 2 mg/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 3 mg/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 5 mg/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 6 mg/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 8 mg/L. In another embodiment, the amount is more than 8 mg/L. In another embodiment, the thiamine is present in an amount that is the molar equivalent of 4 mg/L of thiamine HCl. In another embodiment, the thiamine is present in an amount that is the molar equivalent of thiamine HCl in one of the above amounts. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The pyridoxal (vitamin B6) present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present in the form of pyridoxal HCl. In another embodiment, the pyridoxal is present as any other salt, derivative, or hydrate of pyridoxal known in the art. In another embodiment, another form of vitamin B6 is substituted for pyridoxal. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the pyridoxal is present in an amount of 4 mg/L (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is any of the amounts or ranges listed above for thiamine. In another embodiment, the amount of pyridoxal present is the molar equivalent of about 4 mg/L of pyridoxal HCl. In another embodiment, the amount of pyridoxal present is the molar equivalent of pyridoxal HCl in any of the amounts or ranges listed above for thiamine. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The adenine (vitamin B4) present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present in the form of free adenine. In another embodiment, the adenine is present as any other salt, derivative, or hydrate of adenine known in the art. In another embodiment, another form of vitamin B4 is substituted for adenine. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the adenine is present in an amount of 0.25 mg/L (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is any of the amounts or ranges listed above for cobalt. In another embodiment, the amount of adenine present is the molar equivalent of about 0.25 mg/L of free adenine. In another embodiment, the amount of adenine present is the molar equivalent of free adenine in any of the amounts or ranges listed above for cobalt. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The biotin (vitamin B7) present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present in the form of free biotin. In another embodiment, the biotin is present as any other salt, derivative, or hydrate of biotin known in the art. In another embodiment, another form of vitamin B7 is substituted for biotin. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the biotin is present in an amount of 2 mg/L (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is any of the amounts or ranges listed above for thiamine. In another embodiment, the amount of biotin present is the molar equivalent of about 2 mg/L of free biotin. In another embodiment, the amount of biotin present is the molar equivalent of free biotin in any of the amounts or ranges listed above for thiamine. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The para-aminobenzoic acid (vitamin B-x) present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present in the form of free para-aminobenzoic acid. In another embodiment, the para-aminobenzoic acid is present as any other salt, derivative, or hydrate of para-aminobenzoic acid known in the art. In another embodiment, another form of vitamin B-x is substituted for para-aminobenzoic acid. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the para-aminobenzoic acid is present in an amount of 4 mg/L (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is any of the amounts or ranges listed above for thiamine. In another embodiment, the amount of para-aminobenzoic acid present is the molar equivalent of about 4 mg/L of free para-aminobenzoic acid. In another embodiment, the amount of para-aminobenzoic acid present is the molar equivalent of free para-aminobenzoic acid in any of the amounts or ranges listed above for thiamine. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The pantothenate (vitamin B5) present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present in the form of calcium pantothenate. In another embodiment, the pantothenate is present as any other salt, derivative, or hydrate of pantothenate known in the art. In another embodiment, another form of vitamin B5 is substituted for pantothenate. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the pantothenate is present in an amount of 4 mg/L (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is any of the amounts or ranges listed above for thiamine. In another embodiment, the amount of pantothenate present is the molar equivalent of about 4 mg/L of calcium pantothenate. In another embodiment, the amount of pantothenate present is the molar equivalent of calcium pantothenate in any of the amounts or ranges listed above for thiamine. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The nicotinamide (vitamin B3) present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, present in the form of free nicotinamide. In another embodiment, the nicotinamide is present as any other salt, derivative, or hydrate of nicotinamide known in the art. In another embodiment, another form of vitamin B3 is substituted for nicotinamide. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the nicotinamide is present in an amount of 4 mg/L (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is any of the amounts or ranges listed above for thiamine. In another embodiment, the amount of nicotinamide present is the molar equivalent of about 4 mg/L of free nicotinamide. In another embodiment, the amount of nicotinamide present is the molar equivalent of free nicotinamide in any of the amounts or ranges listed above for thiamine. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

One or more of the leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention are, in another embodiment, present as free amino acids. In another embodiment, one of the above compounds is present as a salt thereof. In another embodiment, one of the above compounds is present as a derivative thereof. In another embodiment, one of the above compounds is present as a hydrate thereof. In other embodiments, the salt, derivative, or hydrate can be any salt, derivative, or hydrate known in the art. Each of the above forms of adenine, biotin, thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, one or more of the leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine is present in an amount of 0.4 g/L (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the amount is about 0.05 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.07 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.1 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.15 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.2 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.3 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.5 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.6 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is 0.8 g/L. In another embodiment, the amount is more than 0.8 g/L. In another embodiment, one or more of these AA is present in an amount that is the molar equivalent of 0.4 g/L of the free AA. In another embodiment, the amount is the molar equivalent of thiamine the free AA in one of the above amounts. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a defined media of methods and compositions of the present invention contains two of the amino acids (AA) listed in the second section of Table 3B, e.g. leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine. In another embodiment, the defined media contains 3 of these AA. In another embodiment, the media contains 4 of these AA. In another embodiment, the media contains 3 of these AA. In another embodiment, the media contains 5 of these AA. In another embodiment, the media contains 6 of these AA. In another embodiment, the media contains all of these AA. In another embodiment, the media contains at least 2 of these AA. In another embodiment, the media contains at least 3 of these AA. In another embodiment, the media contains at least 4 of these AA. In another embodiment, the media contains at least 5 of these AA. In another embodiment, the media contains at least 6 of these AA. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a defined media of methods and compositions of the present invention contains 2 of the vitamins listed in the third section of Table 3B, e.g. adenine, biotin, thiamine, pyridoxal, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, and nicotinamide. In another embodiment, the defined media contains 3 of these vitamins. In another embodiment, the media contains 4 of these vitamins. In another embodiment, the media contains 3 of these vitamins. In another embodiment, the media contains 5 of these vitamins. In another embodiment, the media contains 6 of these vitamins. In another embodiment, the media contains all of these vitamins. In another embodiment, the media contains at least 2 of these vitamins. In another embodiment, the media contains at least 3 of these vitamins. In another embodiment, the media contains at least 4 of these vitamins. In another embodiment, the media contains at least 5 of these vitamins. In another embodiment, the media contains at least 6 of these vitamins. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a defined media of methods and compositions of the present invention contains 2 of the trace elements listed in the fourth section of Table 3B, e.g. cobalt, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, iron, calcium, and citrate. In another embodiment, the defined media contains 3 of these trace elements. In another embodiment, the media contains 4 of these trace elements. In another embodiment, the media contains 3 of these trace elements. In another embodiment, the media contains 5 of these trace elements. In another embodiment, the media contains 6 of these trace elements. In another embodiment, the media contains 7 of these trace elements. In another embodiment, the media contains 7 of these trace elements. In another embodiment, the media contains all of these trace elements. In another embodiment, the media contains at least 2 of these trace elements. In another embodiment, the media contains at least 3 of these trace elements. In another embodiment, the media contains at least 4 of these trace elements. In another embodiment, the media contains at least 5 of these trace elements. In another embodiment, the media contains at least 6 of these trace elements. In another embodiment, the media contains at least 7 of these trace elements. In another embodiment, the media contains at least 8 of these trace elements. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a defined media of methods and compositions of the present invention contains more than 1 component from 2 of the above classes of components; e.g more than one of the AA listed in the second section of Table 3B, and more than one of the vitamins listed in the third section. In another embodiment, the media contains more than 2 components from 2 of the above classes of components; e.g more than 2 of the AA listed in the second section of Table 3B, and more than 2 of the trace elements listed in the fourth section. In another embodiment, the media contains more than 3 components from 2 of the above classes. In another embodiment, the media contains more than 4 components from 2 of the above classes. In another embodiment, the media contains more than 5 components from 2 of the above classes. In another embodiment, the media contains more than 6 components from 2 of the above classes. In another embodiment, the media contains all of the components from 2 of the above classes.

In another embodiment, a defined media of methods and compositions of the present invention contains more than 1 component from all of the above classes of components (e.g. more than 1 component each from AA, vitamins and trace elements). In another embodiment, the media contains more than 2 components from all of the above classes of components. In another embodiment, the media contains more than 3 components from all of the above classes. In another embodiment, the media contains more than 4 components from all of the above classes. In another embodiment, the media contains more than all components from 2 of the above classes. In another embodiment, the media contains more than 6 components from all of the above classes. In another embodiment, the media contains all of the components from all of the above classes.

In another embodiment, the media contains any other combination of numbers of components from each of the above classes; e.g. 2 AA, 2 vitamins, and 3 trace elements; 3 AA, 3 vitamins, and 2 trace elements; 2 AA, 3 vitamins, and all of the trace elements, etc.

Each of the above combinations of numbers of components from each of the above classes represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a defined media of methods and compositions of the present invention consists of one of the above recipes, mixtures of components, lists of components in specified amounts, or combinations of numbers of components from each of the above classes. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

The divalent cation present in defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, Mg. In another embodiment, the divalent cation is Ca. In another embodiment, the divalent cation is any other divalent cation known in the art. Mg can, in other embodiments, be present in any form of Mg known in the art, e.g. MgSO₄ (Examples 15-16). In another embodiment, the divalent cation is present in an amount that is the molar equivalent of about 0.41 g/mL. In other embodiments, the divalent cation is present in another effective amount, as known to those skilled in the art.

In another embodiment, a nitrogen source other than glutamine is utilized in defined media of the present invention. In another embodiment, the nitrogen source is another AA. In another embodiment, the nitrogen source is another source of peptides or proteins (e.g. casitone or casamino acids). In another embodiment, the nitrogen source is ammonium chloride. In another embodiment, the nitrogen source is ammonium nitrate. In another embodiment, the nitrogen source is ammonium sulfate. In another embodiment, the nitrogen source is another ammonium salt. In another embodiment, the nitrogen source is any other nitrogen source known in the art. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a defined microbiological media of methods and compositions of the present invention does not contain a component derived from an animal source. In another embodiment, the defined microbiological media does not contain an animal-derived component of incompletely defined composition (e.g. yeast extract, bacto-tryptone, etc.). Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, “defined microbiological media” refers to a media whose components are known. In another embodiment, the term refers to a media that does not contain a component derived from an animal source. In another embodiment, the term refers to a media whose components have been chemically characterized. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a defined media of methods and compositions of the present invention supports growth of the Listeria strain to about 1.1×10¹⁰ CFU/mL (e.g. when grown in flasks; Examples 13-16). In another embodiment, the defined media supports growth to about 1.1×10¹⁰ CFU/mL (e.g. when grown in fermenters; Examples 13-16). In another embodiment, the defined media supports growth to about 5×10⁹ CFU/mL (e.g. when grown in fermenters; Examples 13-16). In another embodiment, the defined media supports growth of viable bacteria (e.g. bacteria that can be cryopreserved without significant loss of viability) to about 3×10¹⁰ CFU/mL (e.g. when grown in fermenters; Examples 13-16). In another embodiment, the defined media supports growth to an OD₆₀₀ of about 4.5 (Examples 13-16). In other embodiments, the defined media supports growth to another OD₆₀₀ value enumerated herein. In other embodiments, the defined media supports growth to another CFU/mL value enumerated herein. In another embodiment, the defined media supports growth to a density approximately equivalent to that obtained with TB. In another embodiment, the defined media supports growth to a density approximately equivalent to that obtained with LB. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a defined media of methods and compositions of the present invention supports a growth rate of the Listeria strain of about 0.25 h⁻¹ (Examples). In another embodiment, the growth rate is about 0.15 h⁻¹. In another embodiment, the growth rate is about 0.2 h⁻¹. In another embodiment, the growth rate is about 0.3 h⁻¹. In another embodiment, the growth rate is about 0.4 h⁻¹. In another embodiment, the growth rate is about 0.5 h⁻¹. In another embodiment, the growth rate is about 0.6 h⁻¹. In another embodiment, the defined media supports a growth rate approximately equivalent to that obtained with TB. In another embodiment, the defined media supports a growth rate approximately equivalent to that obtained with LB. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

As provided herein, vaccines of the present invention were completely well tolerated in 5/6 patients, even though the patients were very sick with metastatic cancer. It should be noted that halting of therapy in the case of the other patient, Patient 5, was done purely as a precaution. At no point was the patient's life considered to be even remotely in danger. The safety results in such patients, at least some of which were likely to be immunosuppressed, shows that the Listeria vaccines can be safely administered to a wide variety of patients.

In another embodiment, a peptide of the present invention is a fusion peptide. In another embodiment, “fusion peptide” refers to a peptide or polypeptide comprising 2 or more proteins linked together by peptide bonds or other chemical bonds. In another embodiment, the proteins are linked together directly by a peptide or other chemical bond. In another embodiment, the proteins are linked together with 1 or more AA (e.g. a “spacer”) between the 2 or more proteins. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a vaccine of the present invention further comprises an adjuvant. The adjuvant utilized in methods and compositions of the present invention is, in another embodiment, a granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) protein. In another embodiment, the adjuvant comprises a GM-CSF protein. In another embodiment, the adjuvant is a nucleotide molecule encoding GM-CSF. In another embodiment, the adjuvant comprises a nucleotide molecule encoding GM-CSF. In another embodiment, the adjuvant is saponin QS21. In another embodiment, the adjuvant comprises saponin QS21. In another embodiment, the adjuvant is monophosphoryl lipid A. In another embodiment, the adjuvant comprises monophosphoryl lipid A. In another embodiment, the adjuvant is SBAS2. In another embodiment, the adjuvant comprises SBAS2. In another embodiment, the adjuvant is an unmethylated CpG-containing oligonucleotide. In another embodiment, the adjuvant comprises an unmethylated CpG-containing oligonucleotide. In another embodiment, the adjuvant is an immune-stimulating cytokine. In another embodiment, the adjuvant comprises an immune-stimulating cytokine. In another embodiment, the adjuvant is a nucleotide molecule encoding an immune-stimulating cytokine. In another embodiment, the adjuvant comprises a nucleotide molecule encoding an immune-stimulating cytokine. In another embodiment, the adjuvant is or comprises a quill glycoside. In another embodiment, the adjuvant is or comprises a bacterial mitogen. In another embodiment, the adjuvant is or comprises a bacterial toxin. In another embodiment, the adjuvant is or comprises any other adjuvant known in the art. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, a nucleotide of the present invention is operably linked to a promoter/regulatory sequence that drives expression of the encoded peptide in the Listeria strain. Promoter/regulatory sequences useful for driving constitutive expression of a gene are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to, for example, the P_(hlyA), P_(ActA), and p60 promoters of Listeria, the Streptococcus bac promoter, the Streptomyces griseus sgiA promoter, and the B. thuringiensis phaZ promoter. In another embodiment, inducible and tissue specific expression of the nucleic acid encoding a peptide of the present invention is accomplished by placing the nucleic acid encoding the peptide under the control of an inducible or tissue specific promoter/regulatory sequence. Examples of tissue specific or inducible promoter/regulatory sequences which are useful for his purpose include, but are not limited to the MMTV LTR inducible promoter, and the SV40 late enhancer/promoter. In another embodiment, a promoter that is induced in response to inducing agents such as metals, glucocorticoids, and the like, is utilized. Thus, it will be appreciated that the invention includes the use of any promoter/regulatory sequence, which is either known or unknown, and which is capable of driving expression of the desired protein operably linked thereto.

In another embodiment of methods and compositions of the present invention, a PEST-like AA sequence is fused to the E7 or E6 antigen. As provided herein, recombinant Listeria strains expressing PEST-like sequence-antigen fusions induce anti-tumor immunity (Example 3) and generate antigen-specific, tumor-infiltrating T cells (Example 4). Further, enhanced cell mediated immunity was demonstrated for fusion proteins comprising an antigen and LLO containing the PEST-like AA sequence

(SEQ ID NO: 1) KENSISSMAPPASPPASPKTPIEKKHADEIDK.

Thus, fusion of an antigen to other LM PEST-like sequences and PEST-like sequences derived from other prokaryotic organisms will also enhance immunogenicity of the antigen. The PEST-like AA sequence has, in another embodiment, a sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 2-7. In another embodiment, the PEST-like sequence is KTEEQPSEVNTGPR (SEQ ID NO: 2), KASVTDTSEGDLDSSMQSADESTPQPLK (SEQ ID NO: 3), KNEEVNASDFPPPPTDEELR (SEQ ID NO: 4), or RGGIPTSEEFSSLNSGDFTDDENSETTEEEIDR (SEQ ID NO: 5). In another embodiment, the PEST-like sequence is from Streptolysin O protein of Streptococcus sp. In another embodiment, the PEST-like sequence is from Streptococcus pyogenes Streptolysin O, e.g. KQNTASTETTTTNEQPK (SEQ ID NO: 6) at AA 35-51. In another embodiment, the PEST-like sequence is from Streptococcus equisimilis Streptolysin O, e.g. KQNTANTETTTTNEQPK (SEQ ID NO: 7) at AA 38-54. In another embodiment, the PEST-like sequence is another PEST-like AA sequence derived from a prokaryotic organism. In another embodiment, the PEST-like sequence is any other PEST-like sequence known in the art. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

PEST-like sequences of other prokaryotic organism can be identified in accordance with methods such as described by, for example Rechsteiner and Rogers (1996, Trends Biochem. Sci. 21:267-271) for LM. Alternatively, PEST-like AA sequences from other prokaryotic organisms can also be identified based by this method. Other prokaryotic organisms wherein PEST-like AA sequences would be expected to include, but are not limited to, other Listeria species. In another embodiment, the PEST-like sequence is embedded within the antigenic protein. Thus, in another embodiment, “fusion” refers to an antigenic protein comprising both the antigen and the PEST-like amino acid sequence either linked at one end of the antigen or embedded within the antigen.

In another embodiment, the PEST-like sequence is identified using any other method or algorithm known in the art, e.g the CaSPredictor (Garay-Malpartida H M, Occhiucci J M, Alves J, Belizario J E. Bioinformatics. 2005 June; 21 Suppl 1:i169-76). In another embodiment, the following method is used:

A PEST index is calculated for each 30-35 AA stretch by assigning a value of 1 to the amino acids Ser, Thr, Pro, Glu, Asp, Asn, or Gln. The coefficient value (CV) for each of the PEST residue is 1 and for each of the other AA (non-PEST) is 0.

Each method for identifying a PEST-like sequence represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the LLO protein, or fragment thereof of the present invention need not be that which is set forth exactly in the sequences set forth herein, but rather other alterations, modifications, or changes can be made that retain the functional characteristics of an LLO protein fused to an antigen as set forth elsewhere herein. In another embodiment, the present invention utilizes an analog of an LLO protein, or fragment thereof. Analogs differ, in another embodiment, from naturally occurring proteins or peptides by conservative AA sequence differences or by modifications which do not affect sequence, or by both.

In another embodiment, either a whole E7 protein or a fragment thereof is fused to a LLO protein, to generate a recombinant peptide of methods of the present invention. The E7 protein that is utilized (either whole or as the source of the fragments) has, in another embodiment, the sequence

(SEQ ID No: 20) MHGDTPTLHEYMLDLQPETTDLYCYEQLNDSSEEEDEIDGPAGQAEPDRA HYNIVTFCCKCDSTLRLCVQSTHVDIRTLEDLLMGTLGIVCPICSQKP. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is a homologue of SEQ ID No: 20. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is a variant of SEQ ID No: 20. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is an isomer of SEQ ID No: 20. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is a fragment of SEQ ID No: 20. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is a fragment of a homologue of SEQ ID No: 20. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is a fragment of a variant of SEQ ID No: 20. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is a fragment of an isomer of SEQ ID No: 20. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the sequence of the E7 protein is:

(SEQ ID No: 21) MHGPKATLQDIVLHLEPQNEIPVDLLCHEQLSDSEEENDEIDGVNHQHLP ARRAEPQRHTMLCMCCKCEARIELVVESSADDLRAFQQLFLNTLSFVCPW CASQQ. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a homologue of SEQ ID No: 21. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a variant of SEQ ID No: 21. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is an isomer of SEQ ID No: 21. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a fragment of SEQ ID No: 21. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a fragment of a homologue of SEQ ID No: 21. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a fragment of a variant of SEQ ID No: 21. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a fragment of an isomer of SEQ ID No: 21. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the E7 protein has a sequence set forth in one of the following GenBank entries: M24215, NC_(—)004500, V01116, X62843, or M14119. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is a homologue of a sequence from one of the above GenBank entries. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is a variant of a sequence from one of the above GenBank entries. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is an isomer of a sequence from one of the above GenBank entries. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is a fragment of a sequence from one of the above GenBank entries. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is a fragment of a homologue of a sequence from one of the above GenBank entries. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is a fragment of a variant of a sequence from one of the above GenBank entries. In another embodiment, the E7 protein is a fragment of an isomer of a sequence from one of the above GenBank entries. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, either a whole E6 protein or a fragment thereof is fused to a LLO protein, to generate a recombinant peptide of methods of the present invention. The E6 protein that is utilized (either whole or as the source of the fragments) has, in another embodiment, the sequence

(SEQ ID No: 22) MHQKRTAMFQDPQERPRKLPQLCTELQTTIHDIILECVYCKQQLLRREVY DFAFRDLCIVYRDGNPYAVCDKCLKFYSKISEYRHYCYSLYGTTLEQQYN KPLCDLLIRCINCQKPLCPEEKQRHLDKKQRFHNIRGRWTGRCMSCCRSS RTRRETQL. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a homologue of SEQ ID No: 22. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a variant of SEQ ID No: 22. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is an isomer of SEQ ID No: 22. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a fragment of SEQ ID No: 22. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a fragment of a homologue of SEQ ID No: 22. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a fragment of a variant of SEQ ID No: 22. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a fragment of an isomer of SEQ ID No: 22. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the sequence of the E6 protein is:

(SEQ ID No: 23) MARFEDPTRRPYKLPDLCTELNTSLQDIEITCVYCKTVLELTEVFEFAFK DLFVVYRDSIPHAACHKCIDFYSRIRELRHYSDSVYGDTLEKLTNTGLYN LLIRCLRCQKPLNPAEKLRHLNEKRRFHNIAGHYRGQCHSCCNRARQERL QRRRETQV. In another embodiment, In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a homologue of SEQ ID No: 23. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a variant of SEQ ID No: 23. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is an isomer of SEQ ID No: 23. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a fragment of SEQ ID No: 23. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a fragment of a homologue of SEQ ID No: 23. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a fragment of a variant of SEQ ID No: 23. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a fragment of an isomer of SEQ ID No: 23. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the E6 protein has a sequence set forth in one of the following GenBank entries: M24215, M14119, NC_(—)004500, V01116, X62843, or M14119. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a homologue of a sequence from one of the above GenBank entries. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a variant of a sequence from one of the above GenBank entries. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is an isomer of a sequence from one of the above GenBank entries. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a fragment of a sequence from one of the above GenBank entries. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a fragment of a homologue of a sequence from one of the above GenBank entries. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a fragment of a variant of a sequence from one of the above GenBank entries. In another embodiment, the E6 protein is a fragment of an isomer of a sequence from one of the above GenBank entries. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to an LLO sequence (e.g. to one of SEQ ID No: 15-17) of greater than 70%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 15-17 of greater than 72%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 15-17 of greater than 75%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 15-17 of greater than 78%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 15-17 of greater than 80%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 15-17 of greater than 82%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 15-17 of greater than 83%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 15-17 of greater than 85%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 15-17 of greater than 87%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 15-17 of greater than 88%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 15-17 of greater than 90%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 15-17 of greater than 92%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 15-17 of greater than 93%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 15-17 of greater than 95%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 15-17 of greater than 96%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 15-17 of greater than 97%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 15-17 of greater than 98%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 15-17 of greater than 99%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 15-17 of 100%. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to an E7 sequence (e.g. to one of SEQ ID No: 20-21) of greater than 70%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 20-21 of greater than 72%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 20-21 of greater than 75%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 20-21 of greater than 78%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 20-21 of greater than 80%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 20-21 of greater than 82%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 20-21 of greater than 83%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 20-21 of greater than 85%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 20-21 of greater than 87%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 20-21 of greater than 88%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 20-21 of greater than 90%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 20-21 of greater than 92%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 20-21 of greater than 93%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 20-21 of greater than 95%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 20-21 of greater than 96%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 20-21 of greater than 97%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 20-21 of greater than 98%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 20-21 of greater than 99%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 20-21 of 100%. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to an E6 sequence (e.g. to one of SEQ ID No: 22-23) of greater than 70%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 22-23 of greater than 72%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 22-23 of greater than 75%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 22-23 of greater than 78%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 22-23 of greater than 80%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 22-23 of greater than 82%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 22-23 of greater than 83%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 22-23 of greater than 85%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 22-23 of greater than 87%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 22-23 of greater than 88%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 22-23 of greater than 90%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 22-23 of greater than 92%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 22-23 of greater than 93%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 22-23 of greater than 95%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 22-23 of greater than 96%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 22-23 of greater than 97%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 22-23 of greater than 98%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 22-23 of greater than 99%. In another embodiment, “homology” refers to identity to one of SEQ ID No: 22-23 of 100%. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

Protein and/or peptide homology for any AA sequence listed herein is determined, in one embodiment, by methods well described in the art, including immunoblot analysis, or via computer algorithm analysis of AA sequences, utilizing any of a number of software packages available, via established methods. Some of these packages include the FASTA, BLAST, MPsrch or Scanps packages, and employ, in other embodiments, the use of the Smith and Waterman algorithms, and/or global/local or BLOCKS alignments for analysis, for example. Each method of determining homology represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the LLO protein is attached to the E7 or E6 antigen by chemical conjugation. In another embodiment, glutaraldehyde is used for the conjugation. In another embodiment, the conjugation is performed using any suitable method known in the art. Each possibility represents another embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a kit comprising vaccine of the present invention, an applicator, and instructional material that describes use of the methods of the invention. Although model kits are described below, the contents of other useful kits will be apparent to the skilled artisan in light of the present disclosure. Each of these kits represents a separate embodiment of the present invention.

EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS SECTION Example 1 LLO-Antigen Fusions Induce Anti-Tumor Immunity Materials and Experimental Methods (Examples 1-2) Cell Lines

The C57BL/6 syngeneic TC-1 tumor was immortalized with HPV-16 E6 and E7 and transformed with the c-Ha-ras oncogene. TC-1, provided by T. C. Wu (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md.) is a highly tumorigenic lung epithelial cell expressing low levels of with HPV-16 E6 and E7 and transformed with the c-Ha-ras oncogene. TC-1 was grown in RPMI 1640, 10% FCS, 2 mM L-glutamine, 100 U/ml penicillin, 100 μg/ml streptomycin, 100 μM nonessential amino acids, 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 50 micromolar (mcM) 2-ME, 400 microgram (mcg)/ml G418, and 10% National Collection Type Culture-109 medium at 37° with 10% CO₂. C3 is a mouse embryo cell from C57BL/6 mice immortalized with the complete genome of HPV 16 and transformed with pEJ-ras. EL-4/E7 is the thymoma EL-4 retrovirally transduced with E7.

L. monocytogenes Strains and Propagation

Listeria strains used were Lm-LLO-E7 (hly-E7 fusion gene in an episomal expression system; FIG. 1A), Lm-E7 (single-copy E7 gene cassette integrated into Listeria genome), Lm-LLO-NP (“DP-L2028”; hly-NP fusion gene in an episomal expression system), and Lm-Gag (“ZY-18”; single-copy HIV-1 Gag gene cassette integrated into the chromosome). E7 was amplified by PCR using the primers 5′-GGCTCGAGCATGGAGATACACC-3′ (SEQ ID No: 8; XhoI site is underlined) and 5′-GGGGACTAGTTTATGGTTTCTGAGAACA-3′ (SEQ ID No: 9; SpeI site is underlined) and ligated into pCR2.1 (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.). E7 was excised from pCR2.1 by XhoI/SpeI digestion and ligated into pGG-55. The hly-E7 fusion gene and the pluripotential transcription factor prfA were cloned into pAM401, a multicopy shuttle plasmid (Wirth R et al, J Bacteriol, 165: 831, 1986), generating pGG-55. The hly promoter drives the expression of the first 441 AA of the hly gene product, (lacking the hemolytic C-terminus, referred to below as “ALLO,” and having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID No: 15), which is joined by the XhoI site to the E7 gene, yielding a hly-E7 fusion gene that is transcribed and secreted as LLO-E7. Transformation of a prfA negative strain of Listeria, XFL-7 (provided by Dr. Hao Shen, University of Pennsylvania), with pGG-55 selected for the retention of the plasmid in vivo (FIGS. 1A-B). The hly promoter and gene fragment were generated using primers 5′-GGGGGCTAGCCCTCCTTTGATTAGTATATTC-3′ (SEQ ID No: 10; NheI site is underlined) and 5′-CTCCCTCGAGATCATAATTTACTTCATC-3′ (SEQ ID No: 11; ‘Choi site is underlined). The prfA gene was PCR amplified using primers 5’-GACTACAAGGACGATGACCGACAAGTGATAACCCGGGATCTAAATAAATCCGTT T-3′ (SEQ ID No: 12; XbaI site is underlined) and 5′-CCCGTCGACCAGCTCTTCTTGGTGAAG-3′ (SEQ ID No: 13; SalI site is underlined). Lm-E7 was generated by introducing an expression cassette containing the hly promoter and signal sequence driving the expression and secretion of E7 into the orfZ domain of the LM genome. E7 was amplified by PCR using the primers 5′-GCGGATCCCATGGAGATACACCTAC-3′ (SEQ ID No: 18; BamHI site is underlined) and 5′-GCTCTAGATTATGGTTTCTGAG-3′ (SEQ ID No: 19; XbaI site is underlined). E7 was then ligated into the pZY-21 shuttle vector. LM strain 10403S was transformed with the resulting plasmid, pZY-21-E7, which includes an expression cassette inserted in the middle of a 1.6-kb sequence that corresponds to the orfX, Y, Z domain of the LM genome. The homology domain allows for insertion of the E7 gene cassette into the orfZ domain by homologous recombination. Clones were screened for integration of the E7 gene cassette into the orfZ domain. Bacteria were grown in brain heart infusion medium with (Lm-LLO-E7 and Lm-LLO-NP) or without (Lm-E7 and ZY-18) chloramphenicol (20 μg/ml). Bacteria were frozen in aliquots at −80° C. Expression was verified by Western blotting (FIG. 2).

Measurement of Tumor Growth

Tumors were measured every other day with calipers spanning the shortest and longest surface diameters. The mean of these two measurements was plotted as the mean tumor diameter in millimeters against various time points. Mice were sacrificed when the tumor diameter reached 20 mm Tumor measurements for each time point are shown only for surviving mice.

Effects of Listeria Recombinants on Established Tumor Growth

Six- to 8-wk-old C57BL/6 mice (Charles River) received 2×10⁵ TC-1 cells s.c. on the left flank. One week following tumor inoculation, the tumors had reached a palpable size of 4-5 mm in diameter. Groups of eight mice were then treated with 0.1 LD₅₀ i.p. Lm-LLO-E7 (10⁷ CFU), Lm-E7 (10⁶ CFU), Lm-LLO-NP (10⁷ CFU), or Lm-Gag (5×10⁵ CFU) on days 7 and 14.

⁵¹Cr Release Assay

C57BL/6 mice, 6-8 wk old, were immunized i.p. with 0.1LD₅₀ Lm-LLO-E7, Lm-E7, Lm-LLO-NP, or Lm-Gag. Ten days post-immunization, spleens were harvested. Splenocytes were established in culture with irradiated TC-1 cells (100:1, splenocytes:TC-1) as feeder cells; stimulated in vitro for 5 days, then used in a standard ⁵¹Cr release assay, using the following targets: EL-4, EL-4/E7, or EL-4 pulsed with E7 H-2b peptide (RAHYNIVTF). E:T cell ratios, performed in triplicate, were 80:1, 40:1, 20:1, 10:1, 5:1, and 2.5:1. Following a 4-h incubation at 37° C., cells were pelleted, and 50 μl supernatant was removed from each well. Samples were assayed with a Wallac 1450 scintillation counter (Gaithersburg, Md.). The percent specific lysis was determined as [(experimental counts per minute (cpm)−spontaneous cpm)/(total cpm−spontaneous cpm)]×100.

TC-1-Specific Proliferation

C57BL/6 mice were immunized with 0.1 LD₅₀ and boosted by i.p. injection 20 days later with 1 LD₅₀ Lm-LLO-E7, Lm-E7, Lm-LLO-NP, or Lm-Gag. Six days after boosting, spleens were harvested from immunized and naive mice. Splenocytes were established in culture at 5×10⁵/well in flat-bottom 96-well plates with 2.5×10⁴, 1.25×10⁴, 6×10³, or 3×10³ irradiated TC-1 cells/well as a source of E7 Ag, or without TC-1 cells or with 10 μg/ml Con A. Cells were pulsed 45 h later with 0.5 μCi [³H]thymidine/well. Plates were harvested 18 h later using a Tomtec harvester 96 (Orange, Conn.), and proliferation was assessed with a Wallac 1450 scintillation counter. The change in cpm was calculated as experimental cpm-no Ag cpm.

Flow Cytometric Analysis

C57BL/6 mice were immunized intravenously (i.v.) with 0.1 LD₅₀ Lm-LLO-E7 or Lm-E7 and boosted 30 days later. Three-color flow cytometry for CD8 (53-6.7, PE conjugated), CD62 ligand (CD62L; MEL-14, APC conjugated), and E7 H-2Db tetramer was performed using a FACSCalibur® flow cytometer with CellQuest® software (Becton Dickinson, Mountain View, Calif.). Splenocytes harvested 5 days after the boost were stained at room temperature (rt) with H-2Db tetramers loaded with the E7 peptide (RAHYNIVTF) or a control (HIV-Gag) peptide. Tetramers were used at a 1/200 dilution and were provided by Dr. Larry R. Pease (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.) and by the NIAID Tetramer Core Facility and the NIH AIDS Research and Reference Reagent Program. Tetramer⁺, CD8⁺, CD62L^(low) cells were analyzed.

B16F0-Ova Experiment

24 C57BL/6 mice were inoculated with 5×10⁵ B16F0-Ova cells. On days 3, 10 and 17, groups of 8 mice were immunized with 0.1 LD₅₀ Lm-OVA (10⁶ cfu), Lm-LLO-OVA (10⁸ cfu) and eight animals were left untreated.

Statistics

For comparisons of tumor diameters, mean and SD of tumor size for each group were determined, and statistical significance was determined by Student's t test. p<0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Lm-E7 and Lm-LLO-E7 were compared for their abilities to impact on TC-1 growth. Subcutaneous tumors were established on the left flank of C57BL/6 mice. Seven days later tumors had reached a palpable size (4-5 mm) Mice were vaccinated on days 7 and 14 with 0.1 LD₅₀ Lm-E7, Lm-LLO-E7, or, as controls, Lm-Gag and Lm-LLO-NP. Lm-LLO-E7 induced complete regression of 75% of established TC-1 tumors, while tumor growth was controlled in the other 2 mice in the group (FIG. 3). By contrast, immunization with Lm-E7 and Lm-Gag did not induce tumor regression. This experiment was repeated multiple times, always with very similar results. In addition, similar results were achieved for Lm-LLO-E7 under different immunization protocols. In another experiment, a single immunization was able to cure mice of established 5 mm TC-1 tumors.

In other experiments, similar results were obtained with 2 other E7-expressing tumor cell lines: C3 and EL-4/E7. To confirm the efficacy of vaccination with Lm-LLO-E7, animals that had eliminated their tumors were re-challenged with TC-1 or EL-4/E7 tumor cells on day 60 or day 40, respectively Animals immunized with Lm-LLO-E7 remained tumor free until termination of the experiment (day 124 in the case of TC-1 and day 54 for EL-4/E7).

Thus, expression of an antigen as a fusion protein with ALLO enhances the immunogenicity of the antigen.

Example 2 Lm-LLO-E7 Treatment Elicits TC-1 Specific Splenocyte Proliferation

To measure induction of T cells by Lm-E7 with Lm-LLO-E7, TC-1-specific proliferative responses, a measure of antigen-specific immunocompetence, were measured in immunized mice. Splenocytes from Lm-LLO-E7-immunized mice proliferated when exposed to irradiated TC-1 cells as a source of E7, at splenocyte: TC-1 ratios of 20:1, 40:1, 80:1, and 160:1 (FIG. 4). Conversely, splenocytes from Lm-E7 and rLm control-immunized mice exhibited only background levels of proliferation.

Example 3 Fusion of E7 to LLO Enhances E7-Specific Immunity and Generates Tumor-Infiltrating E7-Specific CD8⁺ Cells Materials and Experimental Methods

500 mcl (microliter) of MATRIGEL®, comprising 100 mcl of 2×10⁵ TC-1 tumor cells in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) plus 400 mcl of MATRIGEL® (BD Biosciences, Franklin Lakes, N.J.) were implanted subcutaneously on the left flank of 12 C57BL/6 mice (n=3). Mice were immunized intraperitoneally on day 7, 14 and 21, and spleens and tumors were harvested on day 28. Tumor MATRIGELs were removed from the mice and incubated at 4° C. overnight in tubes containing 2 milliliters (ml) of RP 10 medium on ice. Tumors were minced with forceps, cut into 2 mm blocks, and incubated at 37° C. for 1 hour with 3 ml of enzyme mixture (0.2 mg/ml collagenase-P, 1 mg/ml DNAse-1 in PBS). The tissue suspension was filtered through nylon mesh and washed with 5% fetal bovine serum+0.05% of NaN₃ in PBS for tetramer and IFN-gamma staining

Splenocytes and tumor cells were incubated with 1 micromole (mcm) E7 peptide for 5 hours in the presence of brefeldin A at 10⁷ cells/ml. Cells were washed twice and incubated in 50 mcl of anti-mouse Fc receptor supernatant (2.4 G2) for 1 hour or overnight at 4° C. Cells were stained for surface molecules CD8 and CD62L, permeabilized, fixed using the permeabilization kit Golgi-Stop® or Golgi-Plug® (Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.), and stained for IFN-gamma. 500,000 events were acquired using two-laser flow cytometer FACSCalibur and analyzed using Cellquest Software (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, N.J.). Percentages of IFN-gamma secreting cells within the activated (CD62L^(low)) CD8⁺ T cells were calculated.

For tetramer staining, H-2D^(b) tetramer was loaded with phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated E7 peptide (RAHYNIVTF, SEQ ID NO: 14), stained at rt for 1 hour, and stained with anti-allophycocyanin (APC) conjugated MEL-14 (CD62L) and FITC-conjugated CD8β at 4° C. for 30 min Cells were analyzed comparing tetramer⁺CD8⁺ CD62L¹′ cells in the spleen and in the tumor.

Results

In another experiment, tumor-bearing mice were administered Lm-LLO-E7, or Lm-E7epi, and levels of E7-specific lymphocytes within the tumor were measured. Mice were treated on days 7 and 14 with 0.1 LD₅₀ of the 4 vaccines. Tumors were harvested on day 21 and stained with antibodies to CD62L, CD8, and with the E7/Db tetramer. An increased percentage of tetramer-positive lymphocytes within the tumor were seen in mice vaccinated with Lm-LLO-E7 and Lm-PEST-E7 (FIG. 5A). This result was reproducible over three experiments (FIG. 8B).

Thus, Lm-LLO-E7, are each efficacious at induction of tumor-infiltrating CD8⁺ T cells and tumor regression.

Example 4 E6/E7 Transgenic Mouse Phenotype: A Model for Spontaneous Tumor Growth and Tolerance to a Tumor Antigen Materials and Experimental Methods

Several C57BL/6 mouse zygotes were injected with plasmids containing the HPV-16 E6/E7 gene under the control of the thyroglobulin promoter (provided by M Parmentier, Brussels). Tail clippings of several litters were screened via PCR for the E6/E7 gene. The E7 gene and the thyroglobulin promoter were integrated into the majority of the progeny. Positive mosaic E7 transgenic mice were then selected for F0×wild type breeding. Subsequent F1 generations were screened, via PCR, for the presence of the E7 gene. E7 positive pups generated from F0×wt breeding pairs were selected for F1×F1 breeding. The zygosity of F1 breeding pair derived generations was determined by Taqman real-time PCR and the ΔΔCt method (Charles River, 2001). Homozygous E7 transgenic mice were selected for F2×F2 breeding. The subsequent F3 generation was screened via Taqman real-time PCR and backcrossing to confirm fidelity of homozygosity. The levels of gene copy number and transgene expression of the E7 gene was assessed for every homozygous line using Taqman real-time PCR. After 6 back-crossings, these lines were used as the parents of the colony. Transgene expression was further confirmed by appearance of thyroid hyperplasia, as described in the Results section.

Results

E6/E7 transgenic mice were generated, and their phenotype assessed. The mice began to develop thyroid hyperplasia at 8 weeks and palpable goiters at 6 months. By 6 to 8 months, most mice exhibited thyroid cancer. Transgenic mice sacrificed at 3 months of age exhibited de-differentiation of the normal thyroid architecture, indicative of an early stage of cancer. The enlarged, de-differentiated cells were filled with colloid, where thyroid hormones accumulate (FIG. 6).

Example 5 E7 is Expressed in Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells of E6/E7 Transgenic Mice

To determine whether or not E7 was expressed in the thymus, liver, spleen, thymus and thyroid were examined for the expression of the transgene in 6 to 8 week old mice. Abundant E7 message was found in the thyroid but not in other tissues (FIG. 7A). The absence of E7 message in whole thymus preparations was not indicative of lack of expression in the thymus, since the level of message of a peripherally expressed, organ-specific antigen, including thyroglobulin, has been shown to be too low to detect in whole thymocyte preparations (Derbinski, J., A. Schulte, B. Kyewski, and L. Klein. 2001. Promiscuous gene expression in medullary thymic epithelial cells mirrors the peripheral self. Nat Immunol 2:1032).

Tolerance to peripheral antigens in the thymus, including thyroglobulin, is mediated by the transient expression of these genes by the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) in thymic medullary epithelial cells (mTECs), with peak expression occurring prior to birth. AIRE is a transcription factor that maintains tolerance to self. To determine whether E7 expression in the transgenic mice followed the same pattern, mTECs from E6/E7 thymi of young mice (3-5 weeks) were examined for E7 expression.

The mTECs expressed E7 message, and also expressed Cathepsin S, which is known to be expressed in mTECs (FIG. 7B). Thus, E7 is expressed in the thymus of the transgenic mice, showing that these mice exhibit tolerance to the E7 antigen.

Example 6 Peptide-Based Vaccines do not Protect Against Tumor Challenge in E6/E7 Transgenic Mice

As a measure of the impact of the self-expression of E7 on vaccine efficacy, E6/E7 transgenic mice were tested in a tumor protection experiment using an E7 peptide (RAHYNIVTF)-based vaccine, along with the immunostimulatory CpG sequence 1826 (Krieg A M, Yi A K, Matson S, Waldschmidt T J, Bishop G A, Teasdale R, Koretzky G A, Klinman D M. Nature 374:546). While the peptide-based vaccine protected all the wild type mice from tumor challenge, it had no impact on tumor challenge in the transgenic mouse (FIG. 8). Thus, the E6/E7 mice exhibit reduced ability to reject tumor challenge, providing further evidence that they are tolerant to E7.

Example 7 LLO Fusions Overcome Immune Tolerance of E6/E7 Transgenic Mice to E7-Expressing Tumors

To test the ability of vaccines of the present invention to overcome the immune tolerance of E6/E7 transgenic mice to E7-expressing tumors, 10⁵ TC-1 cells were implanted subcutaneously (s.c.) and allowed to form solid tumors in 6-8 week old wild-type and transgenic mice 7 and 14 days later, mice were left unimmunized or were immunized i.p. with LM-NP (control), 1×10⁸ cfu LM-LLO-E7 (FIG. 9A) or 2.5×10⁸ cfu LM-ActA-E7 (FIG. 9B). The naïve mice had a large tumor burden, as anticipated, and were sacrificed by day 28 or 35 due to tumors of over 2 cm. By contrast, by day 35, administration of either LM-LLO-E7 resulted in complete tumor regression in 7/8 or 6/8, respectively, of the wild-type mice and 3/8 of the transgenic mice. In the transgenic mice that did not exhibit complete tumor regression, a marked slowing of tumor growth was observed in the LM-LLO-E7-vaccinated mice.

The effectiveness of vaccines of the present invention in inducing complete tumor regression and/or slowing of tumor growth in transgenic mice was in marked contrast to the inefficacy of the peptide-based vaccine. Thus, vaccines of the present invention were able to overcome immune tolerance of E6/E7 transgenic mice to E7-expressing tumors.

Example 8 LLO Fusions Reduce Autochthonous (Spontaneous) Tumors in E6/E7 Transgenic Mice

To determine the impact of the Lm-LLO-E7 vaccines on autochthonous tumors in the E6/E7 transgenic mouse, 6 to 8 week old mice were immunized with 1×10⁸ Lm-LLO-E7 once per month for 8 months. Mice were sacrificed 20 days after the last immunization and their thyroids removed and weighed. This experiment was performed twice (Table 1).

TABLE 1 Thyroid weight (mg) in unvaccinated and vaccinated transgenic mice at 8 months of age (mg)*. Untreated ±S.D. Lm-LLO-NP ±S.D. Lm-LLO-E7 ±S.D. Expt. 1 123 385 130 225 54 408 Expt. 2 94 503 86 239 68 588 *Statistical analyses performed using Student's t test showed that the difference in thyroid weight between Lm-LLO-NP treated mice and untreated mice was not significant but that the difference between Lm-LLO-E7 treated mice was highly significant (p < 0.001)

The difference in thyroid weight between Lm-LLO-E7 treated mice and untreated mice was significant (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively) for both experiments, while the difference between Lm-LLO-NP treated mice (irrelevant antigen control) and untreated mice was not significant (Student's t test), showing that Lm-LLO-E7 controlled spontaneous tumor growth. Thus, vaccines of the present invention prevent formation of new E7-expressing tumors.

To summarize the findings in the above Examples, LLO-antigen fusions (a) induce tumor-specific immune response that include tumor-infiltrating antigen-specific T cells; and are capable of inducing tumor regression and controlling tumor growth of both normal and particularly aggressive tumors; (b) overcome tolerance to self antigens; and (c) prevent spontaneous tumor growth. These findings are generalizable to a large number of antigens, PEST-like sequences, and tumor types, as evidenced by their successful implementation with a variety of different antigens, PEST-like sequences, and tumor types.

Example 9 Lm-LLO-E7 Vaccines are Safe and Improve Clinical Indicators in Cervical Cancer Patients Materials and Experimental Methods

Inclusion Criteria.

All patients in the trial were diagnosed with “advanced, progressive or recurrent cervical cancer,” and an assessment at the time of entry indicated that all were staged as having IVB disease. All patients manifested a positive immune response to an anergy panel containing 3 memory antigens selected from candidin, mumps, tetanus, or Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative (PPD); were not pregnant or HIV positive, had taken no investigational drugs within 4 weeks, and were not receiving steroids.

Protocol:

Patients were administered 2 vaccinations at a 3-week interval as a 30-minute intravenous (IV) infusion in 250 ml of normal saline to inpatients. After 5 days, patients received a single course of IV ampicillin and were released with an additional 10 days of oral ampicillin Karnofsky Performance Index, which is a measurement of overall vitality and quality of life such as appetite, ability to complete daily tasks, restful sleep, etc, was used to determine overall well-being. In addition, the following indicators of safety and general well being were determined: alkaline phosphatase; bilirubin, both direct and total; gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (ggt); cholesterol; systole, diastole, and heart rate; Eastern Collaborative Oncology Group's (ECOG)'s criteria for assessing disease progression—a Karnofsky like—quality of life indicator; hematocrit; hemoglobin; platelet levels; lymphocytes levels; AST (aspartate aminotransferase); ALT (alanine aminotransferase); and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase). Patients were followed at 3 weeks and 3 months subsequent to the second dosing, at which time Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) scores of the patients were determined, scans were performed to determine tumor size, and blood samples were collected for immunological analysis at the end of the trial, which includes the evaluation of IFN-γ, IL-4, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cell populations.

Listeria Strains:

The creation of LM-LLO-E7 is described in Example 1. Bacteria were passaged twice through mice prior to preparation of the working cell bank, as described in Example 12. The cell bank exhibited viability upon thawing of greater than 90%.

Results

Prior to the clinical trial, a preclinical experiment was performed to determine the anti-tumor efficacy of intravenous (i.v.) vs. i.p. administration of LM-LLO-E7. A tumor containing 1×10⁴ TC-1 cells was established sub-cutaneously. On days 7 and 14, mice were immunized with either 10⁸ LM-LLO-E7 i.p. or LM-LLO-E7 i.v. at doses of 10⁸, 10⁷, 10⁶, or 10⁵. At day 35, 5/8 of the mice that received 10⁸ LM-LLO-E7 by either route or 10⁷ LM-LLO-E7 i.v, and 4/8 of the mice that received 10⁶ LM-LLO-E7 i.v, were cured. By contrast, doses of less than 10⁷ or in some cases even 10⁸ LM-LLO-E7 administered i.p. were ineffective at controlling tumor growth. Thus, i.v. administration of LM-LLO-E7 is more effective than i.p. administration.

Clinical Trial

A phase I/II clinical trial was conducted to assess safety and efficacy of LM-LLO-E7 vaccines in patients with advanced, progressive, or recurrent cervical cancer. 5 patients each were assigned to cohorts 1-2, which received 1×10⁹ or 3.3×10⁹ CFU, respectfully. An additional 5 patients each will be assigned to cohorts 3-4, which will receive 1×10¹⁰ or 3.31×10¹⁰ CFU, respectfully.

Safety Data First Cohort

All patients in the first cohort reported onset of mild-to-moderate fever and chills within 1-2 hours after onset of the infusion. Some patients exhibited vomiting, with or without nausea. With 1 exception (described below), a single dose of a non-steroidal agent such as paracetamol was sufficient to resolve these symptoms. Modest, transient cardiovascular effects were observed, consistent with, and sharing the time course of, the fever. No other adverse effects were reported.

At this late stage of cervical cancer, 1 year survival is typically 10-15% of patients and no tumor therapy has ever been effective. Indeed, Patient 2 was a young patient with very aggressive disease who passed away shortly after completing the trial.

Quantitative blood cultures were assessed on days 2, 3, and 5 post-administration. Of the 5 evaluable patients in this cohort, 4 exhibited no serum Listeria at any time and 1 had a very small amount (35 cfu) of circulating Listeria on day 2, with no detectable Listeria on day 3 or 5.

Patient 5 responded to initial vaccination with mild fever over the 48 hours subsequent to administration, and was treated with anti-inflammatory agents. On 1 occasion, the fever rose to moderate severity (at no time above 38.4° C.), after which she was given a course of ampicillin, which resolved the fever. During the antibiotic administration she experienced mild urticaria, which ended after antibiotic administration. Blood cultures were all sterile, cardiovascular data were within the range observed for other patients, and serum chemistry values were normal, showing that this patient had no listerial disease. Further, the anergy panel indicated a robust response to 1/3 memory antigens, indicating the presence of functional immunity (similar to the other patients). Patient 5 subsequently evidenced a response similar to all other patients upon receiving the boost.

Second Cohort and Overall Safety Observations

In both cohorts, minor and transient changes in liver function tests were observed following infusion. These changes were determined by the attending physician monitoring the trial to have no clinical significance, and were expected for a short-lived infection of bacteria that are rapidly removed from the systemic circulation to the liver and spleen. In general, all the safety indicators described in the Methods section above displayed little or no net change, indicative of an excellent safety profile. The side effect profile in this cohort was virtually identical to that seen in the in the initial cohort and appeared to be a dose independent series of symptoms related to the consequences of cytokines and similar agents that occur consequent to the induction of an iatrogenic infection. No serum Listeria was observed at any time and no dose limiting toxicity was observed in either cohort.

Efficacy—First Cohort

The following indications of efficacy were observed in the 3 patients in the first cohort that finished the trial: (Table 2).

Patient 1 entered the trial with 2 tumors of 20 mm each, which shrunk to 18 and 14 mm over the course of the trial, indicating therapeutic efficacy of the vaccine. In addition, patient 1 entered the trial with a Karnofsky Performance Index of 70, which rose to 90 after dosing. In the Safety Review Panel meeting, Sini{hacek over (s)}a Radulovic, the chairman of the Department of Oncology, Institute for Oncology and Radiology, Belgrade, Serbia presented the results to a representative of the entity conducting the trials; Michael Kurman, an independent oncologist who works as a consultant for the entity; Kevin Ault, an academic gynecologic oncologist at Emory University who conducted the phase III Gardasil trials for Merck and the Cervarix trials for Glaxo SmithKline; and Tate Thigpen, a founder of the Gynecologic Oncology Group at NCI and professor of gynecologic oncology at the University of Mississippi. In the opinion of Dr. Radulovic, patient 1 exhibited a clinical benefit from treatment with the vaccine.

Before passing away, Patient 2 exhibited a mixed response, with 1/2 tumors shrinking.

Patient 3 enrolled with paraneoplastic disease, (an epiphenomenon of cancer wherein the overall debilitated state of the patient has other sequelae that are secondary to the cancer), including an elevation of platelet count to 936×10⁹/ml. The count decreased to 465×10⁹/ml, approximately a normal level, following the first dose.

Patient 4 entered the trial with 2 tumors of 20 mm each, which shrunk to 18 and 14 mm over the course of the trial, indicating therapeutic efficacy of the vaccine. Patient 4 exhibited a weight gain of 1.6 Kg and an increased hemoglobin count of approximately 10% between the first and second doses.

Efficacy—Second Cohort and General Observations

In the lowest dose cohort, 2 patients demonstrated the shrinkage of tumors. The timing of this effect was consistent with that observed in immunological responses, in that it followed chronologically development of the immune response. One of the 2 patients in the second cohort evaluated so far for tumor burden exhibited a dramatic tumor load reduction at a post-vaccination time point. At the start of the trial, this patient had 3 tumors of 13, 13, and 14 mm After the 2 doses of the vaccine, 2 of the tumor had shrunk to 9.4 and 12 mm, and the third was no longer detectable.

Tumors loads for the 2 cohorts are depicted in FIG. 10B. In summary, even relatively low doses of LM-LLO-E7, administered in a therapeutic regimen containing a priming injection and a single boost, achieved 3 objective responses out of 6 patients for whom data has been collected.

Discussion

At this late stage of cervical cancer, 1 year survival is typically 10-15% of patients and no tumor therapy has ever been effective. No treatment has shown to be effective in reversing stage IVB cervical cancer. Despite the difficulty of treating cervical cancer at this stage, an anti-tumor effect was observed in 2/6 patients. In addition, other indications of efficacy were observed in patients that finished the trial, as described hereinabove.

Thus, LM-LLO-E7 is safe in human subjects and improves clinical indicators of cervical cancer patients, even when administered at relatively low doses. Additional positive results are likely to be observed when the dose and number of booster vaccinations is increased; and/or when antibiotics are administered in smaller doses or at a later time point after infusion. Pre-clinical studies have shown that a dose increase of a single order of magnitude can cause dramatic changes in response rate (e.g. a change from 0% response rate to 50-100% complete remission rate. Additional booster doses are also very likely to further enhance the immune responses obtained. Moreover, the positive effects of the therapeutic immune response observed are likely to continue with the passage of additional time, as the immune system continues to attack the cancer.

Example 10 Safety and Efficacy of Lm-LLO-E7 for the Treatment of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Advaxis has treated 45 patients with grade 2 or 3 Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (cervical dysplasia) thus far in a trial designed to treat 120 patents. Three treatment groups of 40 patients each are comprised of 10 patients who get placebo on a randomized basis and 30 patients who get active drug at 5.10⁷, 3.3×10⁸ or 1×10⁹ cfu. A safety run in of 3 patients is conducted for each dosage group and these patients receive the active drug. The remaining 37 patients are randomized to either placebo or active drug at a ratio of 3 active patients for each placebo patient. The trial involves the administration of Advaxis agent ADXS 11-001 directed against HPV 16-E7 3 times at 28 day intervals followed by a surgical LEEP procedure 6 months after the initial dose. Pretreatment biopsy samples are compared with post treatment LEEP surgery specimens for an assessment of histologic response.

The objective of this study was to see whether a vaccine regimen can replace surgery. Aside from the pain, bleeding, and other aspects of surgery, the removal of a portion of the cervix often leads to an inability to come to a full term pregnancy (“incompetent cervix”). A pharmaceutical treatment would thus be preferential to surgery. Especially one that induces immunologic memory against the etiologic agent that causes cervix cancer, HPV, in a manner that protects against recurrence.

At the present time the random code has not been broken, however of the 18 treated patients 3-4 patients have receive placebo and 14-15 patients have received active drug. The average spontaneous remission rate in this population is approximately 25%, and 4-5 patients spontaneously remit assuming the experimental agent was ineffective, but in the 18 patients treated to date, irrespective of treatment, 14 have remitted. Thus, a therapeutic effect of the agent on the precancerous condition of CIN is being observed.

Example 11 Safety and Efficacy of Lm-LLO-E7 for the Treatment of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Stages II and III Materials and Experimental Methods Inclusion Criteria

Age 18 or older and capable of providing informed consent according to federal, state and institutional guidelines.

Patients must have either Stage II or Stage III Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia for which surgical intervention is indicated, and for whom the disease is sufficiently indolent to allow for a 6-month treatment and observation period to occur prior to surgery.

HPV-16 E7 positive.

Cytological evidence consistent with a diagnosis of CIN II/III.

All patients eligible for this study must be discussed with the principal investigators and be approved by the principal investigators before study entry.

Patients must respond positively to at least 1 of the test agents used in the anergy panel described for the previous Example. A positive reaction defined by the formation of a local tissue response of at least 5 mm in sum of the orthogonal measures in reaction to the administration of a delayed hypersensitivity stimulus is required.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients who have had chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or steroids within 4 weeks prior to the initial study dose or those who have not recovered from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4 weeks earlier.

Patients who have received any other investigational agents for 28 days prior to dosing.

A history of Listeriosis.

A history of prior cancer or concomitant cancer.

Patients who are immunocompromised as demonstrated by a negative result from an anergy panel screening.

Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.

Hepatitis, cirrhosis, or any other impaired hepatic function as determined by serum enzymes.

Pregnant women and women actively trying to become pregnant.

Known HIV-positive patients.

Penicillin allergy.

Primary Safety Endpoints:

-   -   Incidence and severity of observations of the administration         site including swelling, irritation, immune reaction or other         abnormalities.     -   Incidence and severity of adverse events assessed throughout the         duration of the study.     -   Changes in clinical hematology and serum chemistry test results         at each time point from dosing through week 16.     -   Rate of clearance of LM-LLO-E7 from the blood, as determined by         quantitative blood cultures during the inpatient portion of the         study following the initial administration.

Primary Efficacy Endpoints:

-   -   Regression of CIN to normal upon colposcopic examination     -   Regression of CIN toward normal sufficient to cancel or delay         surgery     -   Improved cytology subsequent to surgery

Primary Immunogenicity Endpoints:

-   -   HLA typing of patients for Class I and II,     -   Quantification of a serum cytokine profile subsequent to dosing         that corresponds with observed side effects,     -   Quantification of macrophage activation parameters that assess         macrophage activation subsequent to dosing,     -   Identification of tumor-associated antigen (TAA)-specific         activated T cells and quantification of T cell responses         subsequent to dosing,     -   Quantification of T cell subsets migrating to TAA DTH.

Immunogenicity Criteria: Serum Cytokines

IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2 & IL-12 are assessed in serum of patients, collected at the following times:

-   -   Screening, Day 1.     -   Day 1, pre-dose, Day 1, 3 h post-dose, Day 1, 12 h post-dose,         Day 2, 24 h post-dose, and Day 5.     -   Day 22 pre-dose, Day 22, 3 h post-dose, Day 22, 12 h post-dose,         Day 23, 24 h post-dose, and Day 26     -   Day 43 pre-dose, Day 43, 3 h post-dose, Day 43, 12 h post-dose,         Day 44, 24 h post-dose, and Day 47

T Cell Responses

The following cytokine release profiles are assessed HPV-16 E7 stimulated T cells of patients: IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2 & IL-4

Assays are performed on cells sampled from patients at the following times: Screening, Day 1 pre-dosing, day 22 pre-dosing, day 43 pre-dosing, day 126, and day 180

Delayed Type Hypersensitivity testing

DTH testing is conducted on the following study days: Screening, Day 5, Day 26, Day 47, Day 126 and Day 180.

Macrophage Activation

Samples for the assessment of macrophage activation are collected on the following study days and times:

-   -   Day 1 pre-dose, Day 1, 3 h post-dose, Day 1, 12 h post-dose, Day         2, 24 h post-dose, and Day 5.     -   Day 22 pre-dose, Day 22, 3 h post-dose, Day 22, 12 h post-dose,         Day 23, 24 h post-dose, and Day 26.     -   Day 43 pre-dose, Day 43, 3 h post-dose, Day 43, 12 h post-dose,         Day 44, 24 h post-dose, and Day 47.

Vaccine Administration

LM-LLO-E7 is administered as a 30 min i v infusion with each dose freshly thawed and diluted in 250 ml normal saline.

Safety Review

Adverse Events are graded based on the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Toxicity Criteria. Dose limiting toxicity is defined as any of the following:

Non-Hematologic Toxicity:

-   1. Presumptive bacterial meningitis as determined by symptoms. -   2. Persistent listeremia at day 5 and 15 after a 10-day course of     antibiotics. -   3. Clinical sepsis requiring ICU admission. -   4. A drop in blood pressure sufficient to warrant therapeutic     intervention, -   5. Hepatitis as evidenced by grade 3-4 elevation in transaminases     for a minimum of 7 days. -   6. Gastrointestinal toxicity of grade 3-4 despite adequate medical     intervention. -   7. Any Grade 3 injection site reaction. -   8. Any Grade 3 or higher adverse event that cannot be attributed to     cervical cancer or other concurrent illnesses.

Hematologic Toxicity:

-   1. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) grade 4 for a minimum of 7 days     or neutropenic fever defined as Grade 4 neutropenia with temperature     of >38.5° C. -   2. Platelet count grade 4 or bleeding with Grade 3 platelet count.

Dose escalation to the next cohort proceeds in each case, provided that there are no Grade 3 or higher adverse events related to the therapeutic vaccine.

Results

Women are enrolled that have stage II or stage III Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN II/III) who have disease that is sufficiently indolent to allow for a 6 month period of treatment and evaluation to occur prior to surgery. Patients receive 3 doses of LM-LLO-E7 at 3 week intervals as inpatients and return for follow up visits to assess their response to the vaccine, collect samples for analysis, and assess their disease. Samples for immunologic analysis are collected throughout the trial and assayed upon the completion of the study.

Safety is assessed through standard physical, hematologic and serum chemistry measures, and by blood cultures to assess serum Listeria Immunologic activity is assessed in the areas of serum cytokine release, activated T cell responses to tumor antigen, macrophage activation, and delayed hypersensitivity responses (DTH) to tumor antigen.

Clinically, patients are grouped by primary endpoints. Namely, whether patients exhibit sufficient remission of their disease to make surgery unnecessary. Patients that do require surgery, are grouped regarding whether they exhibit lesser disease than the control group. LM-LLO-E7 reduces the fraction of women that subsequently require surgery and/or the degree of disease among those that require surgery.

Example 12 Passaging of Listeria Vaccine Vectors Through Mice Elicits Increased Immune Responses to Heterologous and Endogenous Antigens Materials and Experimental Methods Bacterial Strains

L. monocytogenes strain 10403S, serotype 1 (ATCC, Manassas, Va.) was the wild type organism used in these studies and the parental strain of the constructs described below. Strain 10403S has an LD₅₀ of approximately 5×10⁴ CFU when injected intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice. “Lm-Gag” is a recombinant LM strain containing a copy of the HIV-1 strain HXB (subtype B laboratory strain with a syncytia-forming phenotype) gag gene stably integrated into the listerial chromosome using a modified shuttle vector pKSV7. Gag protein was expressed and secreted by the strain, as determined by Western blot. All strains were grown in brain-heart infusion (BHI) broth or agar plates (Difco Labs, Detroit, Mich.).

Bacterial Culture

Bacteria from a single clone expressing the passenger antigen and/or fusion protein were selected and cultured in BHI broth overnight. Aliquots of this culture were frozen at ⁻ 70° C. with no additives. From this stock, cultures were grown to 0.1-0.2 O.D. at 600 nm, and aliquots were again frozen at −70° C. with no additives. To prepare cloned bacterial pools, the above procedure was used, but after each passage a number of bacterial clones were selected and checked for expression of the target antigen, as described herein. Clones in which expression of the foreign antigen was confirmed were used for the next passage.

Passage of Bacteria in Mice

6-8 week old female BALB/c (H-2d) mice were purchased from Jackson Laboratories (Bar Harbor, Me.) and were maintained in a pathogen-free microisolator environment. The titer of viable bacteria in an aliquot of stock culture, stored frozen at −70° C., was determined by plating on BHI agar plates on thawing and prior to use. In all, 5×10⁵ bacteria were injected intravenously into BALB/c mice. After 3 days, spleens were harvested, homogenized, and serial dilutions of the spleen homogenate were incubated in BHI broth overnight and plated on BHI agar plates. For further passage, aliquots were again grown to 0.1-0.2 O.D., frozen at −70° C., and bacterial titer was again determined by serial dilution. After the initial passage (passage 0), this sequence was repeated for a total of 4 times.

Intracellular Cytokine Stain for IFN-Gamma

Lymphocytes were cultured for 5 hours in complete RPMI-10 medium supplemented with 50 U/ml human recombinant IL-2 and 1 microliter/ml Brefeldin A (Golgistop™; PharMingen, San Diego, Calif.) in the presence or absence of either the cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) epitope for HIV-GAG (AMQMLKETI; SEQ ID No: 24), Listeria LLO (GYKDGNEYI; SEQ ID No: 25) or the HPV virus gene E7 (RAHYNIVTF (SEQ ID No: 14), at a concentration of 1 micromole. Cells were first surface-stained, then washed and subjected to intracellular cytokine stain using the Cytofix/Cytoperm kit in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations (PharMingen, San Diego, Calif.). For intracellular IFN-gamma stain, FITC-conjugated rat anti-mouse IFN-gamma monoclonal antibody (clone XMG 1.2) and its isotype control Ab (rat IgG1; both from PharMingen) was used. In all, 10⁶ cells were stained in PBS containing 1% Bovine Serum Albumin and 0.02% sodium azide (FACS Buffer) for 30 minutes at 4° C. followed by 3 washes in FACS buffer. Sample data were acquired on either a FACScan™ flowcytometer or FACSCalibur™ instrument (Becton Dickinson, San Jose, Calif.). Three-color flow cytometry for CD8 (PERCP conjugated, rat anti-mouse, clone 53-6.7 Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.), CD62L (APC conjugated, rat anti-mouse, clone MEL-14), and intracellular IFN-gamma was performed using a FACSCalibur™ flow cytometer, and data were further analyzed with CELLQuest software (Becton Dickinson, Mountain View, Calif.). Cells were gated on CD8 high and CD62L¹′ before they were analyzed for CD8⁺ and intracellular IFN-gamma staining.

Results Passaging in Mice Increases the Virulence of Recombinant Listeria Monocytogenes

Three different constructs were used to determine the impact of passaging on recombinant Listeria vaccine vectors. Two of these constructs carry a genomic insertion of the passenger antigen: the first comprises the HIV gag gene (Lm-Gag), and the second comprises the HPV E7 gene (Lm-E7). The third (Lm-LLO-E7) comprises a plasmid with the fusion gene for the passenger antigen (HPV E7) fused with a truncated version of LLO and a gene encoding prfA, the positive regulatory factor that controls Listeria virulence factors. This plasmid was used to complement a prfA negative mutant so that in a live host, selection pressures would favor conservation of the plasmid, because without it the bacterium is avirulent. All 3 constructs had been propagated extensively in vitro for many bacterial generations.

Passaging the bacteria resulted in an increase in bacterial virulence, as measured by numbers of surviving bacteria in the spleen, with each of the first 2 passages. For Lm-Gag and Lm-LLO-E7, virulence increased with each passage up to passage 2 (FIG. 11A). The plasmid-containing construct, Lm-LLO-E7, demonstrated the most dramatic increase in virulence. Prior to passage, the initial immunizing dose of Lm-LLO-E7 had to be increased to 10⁷ bacteria and the spleen had to be harvested on day 2 in order to recover bacteria (whereas an initial dose of 10⁵ bacteria for Lm-Gag was harvested on day 3). After the initial passage, the standard dosage of Lm-LLO-E7 was sufficient to allow harvesting on day 3. For Lm-E7, virulence increased by 1.5 orders of magnitude over unpassaged bacteria (FIG. 11B).

Thus, passage through mice increases the virulence of Listeria vaccine strains.

Passaging Increases the Ability of L. monocytogenes to Induce CD8⁺ T Cells

Next, the effect of passaging on induction of antigen-specific CD8⁺ T cells was determined by intracellular cytokine staining with immunodominant peptides specific for MHC-class I using HIV-Gag peptide AMQMLKETI (SEQ ID No: 24) and LLO 91-99 (GYKDGNEYI; SEQ ID No: 25). Injection of 10³ CFU passaged bacteria (Lm-Gag) into mice elicited significant numbers of HIV-Gag-specific CD8⁺ T cells, while the same dose of non-passaged Lm-Gag induced no detectable Gag-specific CD8⁺ T cells. Even increasing the dose of unpassaged bacteria 100-fold did not compensate for their relative avirulence; in fact, no detectable Gag-specific CD8⁺ T cells were elicited even at the higher dose. The same dose increase with passaged bacteria increased Gag-specific T cell induction by 50% (FIG. 12). The same pattern of induction of antigen-specific CD8⁺ T cells was observed with LLO-specific CD8⁺ T cells, showing that these results were not caused by the properties of the passenger antigen, since they were observed with LLO, an endogenous Listeria antigen.

Thus, passage through mice increases the immunogenicity of Listeria vaccine strains.

Example 13 A PrfA-Containing Plasmid is Stable in an Lm Strain with a PrfA Deletion in the Absence of Antibiotics Materials and Experimental Methods Bacteria

L. monocytogenes strain XFL7 contains a 300 base pair deletion in the prfA gene XFL7 carries pGG55 which partially restores virulence and confers CAP resistance, and is described in United States Patent Application Publication No. 200500118184.

Development of Protocol for Plasmid Extraction from Listeria

1 mL of Listeria monocytogenes Lm-LLO-E7 research working cell bank vial was inoculated into 27 mL BH1 medium containing 34 μg/mL CAP and grown for 24 hours at 37° C. and 200 rpm.

Seven 2.5 mL samples of the culture were pelleted (15000 rpm for 5 minutes), and pellets were incubated at 37° C. with 50 μl lysozyme solution for varying amounts of time, from 0-60 minutes.

Lysozyme solution:

-   -   29 μl 1 M dibasic Potassium Phosphate     -   21 μl 1 M monobasic Potassium Phosphate     -   500 μl 40% Sucrose (filter sterilized through 0.45/μm filter)     -   450 μl water     -   60 μl lysozyme (50 mg/mL)

After incubation with the lysozyme, the suspensions were centrifuged as before and the supernatants discarded. Each pellet was then subjected to plasmid extraction by a modified version of the QIAprep Spin Miniprep Kit® (Qiagen, Germantown, Md.) protocol. The changes to the protocol were as follows:

-   1. The volumes of buffers P1, P2 and N3 were all increased threefold     to allow complete lysis of the increased biomass. -   2. 2 mg/mL of lysozyme was added to the resuspended cells before the     addition of P2. The lysis solution was then incubated at 37° C. for     15 minutes before neutralization. -   3. The plasmid DNA was resuspended in 30 μL rather than 50 μL to     increase the concentration.

In other experiments, the cells were incubated for 15 min in P1 buffer+Lysozyme, then incubated with P2 (lysis buffer) and P3 (neutraliztion buffer) at room temperature.

Equal volumes of the isolated plasmid DNA from each subculture were run on an 0.8% agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide and visualized for any signs of structural or segregation instability.

The results showed that plasmid extraction from L. monocytogenes Lm-LLO-E7 increases in efficiency with increasing incubation time with lysozyme, up to an optimum level at approximately 50 minutes incubation.

These results provide an effective method for plasmid extraction from Listeria vaccine strains.

Replica Plating

Dilutions of the original culture were plated onto plates containing LB or TB agar in the absence or presence of 34 μg/mL CAP. The differences between the counts on selective and non-selective agar were used to determine whether there was any gross segregational instability of the plasmid.

Results

The genetic stability (i.e. the extent to which the plasmid is retained by or remains stably associated with the bacteria in the absence of selection pressure; e.g. antibiotic selection pressure) of the pGG55 plasmid in L. monocytogenes strain XFL7 in the absence of antibiotic was assessed by serial sub-culture in both Luria-Bertani media (LB: 5 g/L NaCl, 10 g/ml soy peptone, 5 g/L yeast extract) and Terrific Broth media (TB: 10 g/L glucose, 11.8 g/L soy peptone, 23.6 g/L yeast extract, 2.2 g/L KH₂PO₄, 9.4 g/L K₂HPO₄), in duplicate cultures. 50 mL of fresh media in a 250 mL baffled shake flask was inoculated with a fixed number of cells (1 ODmL), which was then subcultured at 24 hour intervals. Cultures were incubated in an orbital shaker at 37° C. and 200 rpm. At each subculture the OD₆₀₀ was measured and used to calculate the cell doubling time (or generation) elapsed, until 30 generations were reached in LB and 42 in TB. A known number of cells (15 ODmL) at each subculture stage (approximately every 4 generations) were pelleted by centrifugation, and the plasmid DNA was extracted using the Qiagen QIAprep Spin Miniprep® protocol described above. After purification, plasmid DNA was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, followed by ethidium bromide staining. While the amount of plasmid in the preps varied slightly between samples, the overall trend was a constant amount of plasmid with respect to the generational number of the bacteria (FIGS. 13A-B). Thus, pGG55 exhibited stability in strain XFL7, even in the absence of antibiotic.

Plasmid stability was also monitored during the stability study by replica plating on agar plates at each stage of the subculture. Consistent with the results from the agarose gel electrophoresis, there was no overall change in the number of plasmid-containing cells throughout the study in either LB or TB liquid culture (FIGS. 14 and 15, respectively).

These findings demonstrate that prfA-encoding plasmids exhibit stability in the absence of antibiotic in Listeria strains containing mutations in prfA.

Example 14 Optimization of Cryopreservation Conditions for Listeria Vaccine Strains Materials and Experimental Methods

An LB Research Working Cell Bank (RWCB) was produced by the following protocol: 5 ODmL samples were taken from 200 mL cultures grown in LB or TB with 34 μg/mL CAP in 2 L shake flasks at several different OD₆₀₀. The 5 ODmL samples were cryopreserved using 20% v/v glycerol and frozen at less than −70° C. for one day, then were thawed and used to inoculate 50 mL of the same media used for the starter cultures. The initial growth kinetics of these cultures was measured by monitoring the OD₆₀₀ and comparing the growth curves for any sign of lag phase.

An RWCB containing 50 vials of Lm-LLO-E7, cryopreserved in mid-log phase, was produced. Cells from the original glycerol stocks, CTL 2003#0810N, were streaked out onto an LB-agar plate with 34 μg/mL CAP. After a 24-hour incubation, single colonies were selected and grown in 5 mL of LB-CAP for 24 hours at 37° C., which was then used to inoculate 50 mL of LB-CAP. At an OD₆₀₀ of 0.7, cells were cryopreserved after adding glycerol to 20% v/v. The culture was 1-mL aliquots were placed into fifty sterile cryovials and stored below −70° C.

Results

In order to determine the optimum culture density at which to cryopreserve the L. monocytogenes strain XFL7 carrying the pGG55 plasmid (which will be referred to as Lm-LLO-E7), bacteria were grown in 200 mL (milliliter) baffled shake flasks in either LB or TB. At various 600 Å optical densities (OD₆₀₀), 5 ODmL (i.e. the product of the OD₆₀₀ reading and the volume of culture in ml) aliquots were removed, glycerol was added to 20% v/v, and the cells were frozen at −70° C. After 24 h (hours) storage at −70° C., the 5 ODmL samples were thawed and used to inoculate 50 mL of fresh media of the same type (LB or TB), and initial growth kinetics of the cultures were monitored. All the cultures immediately entered exponential growth without showing any signs of a lag phase (FIG. 16). Thus, among the OD₆₀₀ utilized, the highest OD₆₀₀ (0.8 for LB and 1.1 for TB) were determined to be optimum for short-term cryopreservation.

Next, an LB Research Working Cell Bank (RWCB) was produced by adding 20% v/v glycerol to an 0.8 OD₆₀₀ culture and storing below −70° C. (see Materials and Experimental Methods section above). Viability of the RWCB was determined before freezing by replica plating as described for Example 13. Vials of the RWCB were thawed after defined intervals, and viability was determined. As depicted in FIG. 17, the viability in the first LB cell bank appeared to decrease from 1×10⁹ to 3×10⁸ CFU/mL following storage at −70° C.

A second and a third LB RWCB were generated, this time at OD₆₀₀ of 0.72 and 0.74, respectively. These two RWCB exhibited viabilities ranging between 8 and 12×10⁸ CFU/mL, with no decrease in viability, throughout the course of the study. The difference between these RWCB and first are likely due to difference in the OD₆₀₀ at the time of cryopreservation. Thus, an optical density of 0.8 likely corresponds to the end of exponential growth and the beginning of stationary phase of Lm-LLO-E7 in. Consequently, an OD₆₀₀ of 0.7 was used subsequently. The second RWCB was assigned the number 2003#0933A and was utilized to inoculate the cultures used in subsequent experiments.

In addition, a TB RWCB was generated from cultures at an OD₆₀₀ of 1.1. The number of viable cells remained stable at 1×10⁹ CFU/mL (FIG. 18).

These findings demonstrate that methods of the present invention (e.g. conditions of 20% glycerol and OD₆₀₀ of 0.7) have utility in generating cryopreserved Listeria vaccine strains and stocks with stable long-term viability.

Example 15 Optimization of Media for Growth of Listeria Vaccine Strains in Shake Flask Fermentations Materials and Experimental Methods Cultures

50 mL volumes of each of the four different defined media were inoculated with 250 μL aliquots of the LB RWCB and incubated in 250 mL shake flasks at 37° C. overnight. 20 ODmL of the 50 mL culture were then used to inoculate 200 mL of the same media in 2 L shake flasks. This type of cell propagation procedure encourages viability and exponential growth of the bacteria.

Results

The growth curves of the Listeria vaccine strain in LB and TB were investigated in more detail in order to assess its growth potential. The maximum OD₆₀₀ reached in TB and LB were 4 and 0.8 units, which correspond to about 1×10¹⁰ and 9×10⁸ CFU/mL, respectively (FIG. 19).

Experiments were then performed to develop a defined synthetic medium that could support a similar growth to that of TB. A MOPS pH buffer was used instead of a phosphate buffer because its superior buffering capacity would be appropriate for the demands of shake flask growth. The formula outlined in Table 3A below was used as the starting point. In addition to the pH buffer and standard components (“basic components”), the medium contained supplements expected to improve growth of the vaccine strain. These supplements were divided into four groups: essential compounds, amino acids, vitamins and trace elements.

TABLE 3A Original defined media composition. Amount per Component Litre Basic connponents MOPS 20.93 g KH₂PO₄ 0.656 g Na₂HPO₄—7H₂O 1.639 g Glucose 10 g MgSO₄ 0.41 g Supplements Essential components Ferric Citrate 0.1 g Methionine 0.1 g Cysteine 0.1 g Glutamine 0.6 g Riboflavin 5 mg Thioctic acid 5 μg Amino acids Leucine 0.1 g Isoleucine 0.1 g Valine 0.1 g Arginine 0.1 g Histidine 0.1 g Tryptophan 0.1 g Phenylalanine 0.1 g Vitamins Adenine 0.25 mg Biotin 0.5 mg Thiamine HCl 1 mg Pyridoxal HCl 1 mg Para-aminobenzoic acid 1 mg Calcium pantothenate 1 mg Nicotinamide 1 mg Trace Elements Cobalt chloride hexahydrate (CoCl₂•6H₂O) 0.02 g Copper (II) chloride dihydrate (CuCl₂•2H₂O) 0.019 g Boric acid (H₃BO₃) 0.016 g Manganese sulfate monohydrate (MnSO₄•H₂O) 0.016 g Sodium molybdate dihydrate (Na₂MoO₄•2H₂O) 0.02 g Zinc chloride heptahydrate (ZnCl₂•7H₂O) 0.02 g Ferric Sulfate (Fe₂(SO₄)₃ × H₂O) 0.01 g Calcium Chloride dihydrate (CaCl₂•2H₂0) 0.01 g

In order to determine whether supplementation with the three latter groups (amino acids, vitamins, trace elements) improved the growth of Lm-LL0-E7, bacteria were grown in 50 mL starter cultures, then in 250 mL cultures, of the following media in shake flasks:

-   1. Bulk medium (i.e. water plus the basic components in Table 3A),     essential components, amino acids, vitamins and trace elements. -   2. Bulk medium, essential components, amino acids and vitamins. -   3. Bulk medium, essential components and amino acids. -   4. Bulk medium and essential components.

Presence of both AA and vitamins was necessary to support significant growth in the 50 mL cultures, and the presence of trace elements enhanced the growth rate (FIG. 20). However, at the 200 mL stage the presence of trace elements did not influence the growth rate (FIG. 21). It is possible that the trace elements supported the adaptation of Lm-LLO-E7 from the LB cell bank into the defined medium at the 50 mL stage. Based on these results, all four of the groups in Table 3A were included in the defined medium in subsequent experiments.

The next experiment investigated the effect of increasing the concentrations of the 4 groups of supplements of Table 3. The concentrations of all the components of these four groups were increased by a factor of 2 or 4 to produce “2×” and “4×” defined media, respectively. In addition, 4× defined media containing 1, 2 or 3 g/L of inorganic nitrogen in the form of NH₄SO₄ were tested. The growth of these five cultures was compared to the media of Table 3A (“control”) in the 50 mL-200 mL protocol described above.

All media tested exhibited similar growth for the first four hours. At this point, the growth in the control media began to decelerate, stopping completely at 13 hours, while the 2× and 4× media continued to support exponential growth (FIG. 22). The flasks containing the 2× and 4× media reached final OD₆₀₀ of 2.5 units and 3.5, respectively. Inclusion of NH₄SO₄ slightly increased final biomass concentrations, but considerably decreased the growth rate.

Thus, increasing the nutrient level, but not inclusion of NH₄SO₄, significantly improved the growth of the vaccine strain in defined media. Based on these results, NH₄SO₄ was not included in subsequent experiments.

Next, the effect in 50 mL and 200 mL cultures of the following additional modifications to the media was examined: 1) further increasing the concentration of the 4 groups of supplements from Table 3A (to 6 and 8 times the original concentration); 2) increasing the concentration of glutamine (a source of organic nitrogen) to 8 times the original concentration; and 3) removing iron from the media. As depicted in FIG. 23 (results from 200 mL cultures), further increasing the concentration of either glutamine or the 4 groups of supplements did not enhance the final biomass concentration of Lm-LLO-E7. Removal of iron, by contrast, reduced the maximum biomass concentration.

The effect of increasing the glucose concentration of the 4× media was examined Increasing glucose concentration from 10 to 15 g/L significantly improved growth rate and biomass.

The final OD₆₀₀ of each of the 4× supplements was 4.5, which corresponded to 1.1×10¹⁰ CFU/mL, approximately the same as the final biomass obtained with TB. Thus, a defined media was developed that supported growth of a Listeria vaccine strain to the same extent as TB.

In conclusion, media containing 4× the original concentration of the four groups of supplements from Table 3A (referred to henceforth as “4× media”) supported optimal growth of Lm-LLO-E7 in 50 mL and 200 mL shake flask cultures. Iron was required for optimal growth. Increasing the glucose from 10 to 15 g/L increased the total biomass achieved. The resulting optimized defined media recipe is depicted in Table 3B.

TABLE 3B Optimized defined media composition. AMOUNT PER COMPONENT LITRE BASIC COMPONENTS KH₂PO₄ 2.2 g Na₂HPO₄—7H₂O 10.4 g Glucose 15 g MgSO₄ 0.41 g SUPPLEMENTS Essential components Ferric Citrate 0.4 g Methionine 0.4 g Cysteine 0.4 g Glutamine 2.4 g Riboflavin 20 mg Thioctic acid 20 μg Amino acids Leucine 0.4 g Isoleucine 0.4 g Valine 0.4 g Arginine 0.4 g Histidine 0.4 g Tryptophan 0.4 g Phenylalanine 0.4 g Vitamins Adenine 0.25 g Biotin 2 mg Thiamine HCl 4 mg Pyridoxal HCl 4 mg Para-aminobenzoic acid 4 mg Calcium pantothenate 4 mg Nicotinamide 4 mg Trace Elements Cobalt chloride hexahydrate (CoCl₂•6H₂O) 0.02 g Copper (II) chloride dihydrate (CuCl₂•2H₂O) 0.019 g Boric acid (H₃BO₃) 0.016 g Manganese sulfate monohydrate (MnSO₄•H₂O) 0.016 g Sodium molybdate dihydrate (Na₂MoO₄•2H₂O) 0.02 g Zinc chloride heptahydrate (ZnCl₂•7H₂O) 0.02 g Ferric Sulfate (Fe₂(SO₄)₃ × H₂O) 0.01 g Calcium Chloride dihydrate (CaCl₂•2H₂0) 0.01 g Citric Acid 0.6 g

Example 16 Optimization of Media for Growth of Listeria Vaccine Strains in Batch Fermentations Materials and Experimental Methods

FT Applikon 5/7 L fermenter vessels containing 4500 mL of either TB or defined medium with 34 μg/mfL CAP were utilized in this Example. 20 ODmL of Lm-LLO-E7 was used to inoculate a 200 mL starter culture containing CAP, which was grown at 37° C. in an orbital shaker at 200 rpm for 10 hours until it reached mid-log phase; 450 ODmL of this culture was used to inoculate the fermenter vessels. The temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen concentration were continuously monitored and controlled during the fermentation at levels of 37° C., 7.0, and 20% of saturation.

Results

Factors such as dissolved oxygen concentration or pH likely limited the growth of Lm-LLO-E7 in the previous Example, as they are not controlled in shake flasks. Consistent with this possibility, the pH of the cultures in the shake flasks had decreased to approximately 5.5 units. In a batch fermenter, by contrast, pH and dissolved oxygen levels are continuously monitored and controlled. Thus, separate experiments were performed in this Example to optimize the media used for batch fermentations.

200 mL cultures of Lm-LLO-E7 were grown overnight in either TB or the defined medium from Table 3B until they reached mid-log phase (OD₆₀₀ of 1-2). 450 ODmLs of the starter culture was then used to inoculate 5 L batch fermenters containing the same media. The bacteria grown in the TB culture began to grow exponentially immediately upon innoculation, with a specific growth rate of 0.5 h⁻¹, then entered into a deceleration phase about 7 hours after inoculation, reaching stationary phase at a viable cell density of 2.1×10¹⁰ CFU/mL (FIG. 24A). The bacteria grown in the defined media also exhibited exponential growth; however, the growth rate was 0.25 h⁻¹, and the final viable cell density was 1.4×10¹⁰ CFU/mL. A total yield of 8.9×10¹³ CFR was obtained from the batch fermentation. Both batch fermentations entered into stationary phase as a result of carbon limitation, as evidenced by the finding that the glucose concentration had reached zero at stationary phase. Since LM cannot utilize AA as a carbon source, the cells were unable to grow in the absence of carbohydrate.

At all densities tested, the bacteria grown in TB retained their viability throughout subsequent steps in the process (FIG. 24B). Bacteria grown in defined media maintained their viability up to an OD of 3-4 (FIG. 24C).

It was further found that, to prevent iron precipitation, the iron and magnesium salts could be dissolved separately in water and heated to 60° C., then filter-sterilized and simultaneously added to the fermenter culture medium.

Example 17 Further Optimization of Cryopreservation Conditions for Listeria Vaccine Strains

The next experiment examined the viability of cryopreserved Lm-LLO-E7 in the presence of each of 4 different additives: namely, glycerol, mannitol, DMSO and sucrose. PBS was used as a control. In addition, three different storage methods were compared: −20° C., −70° C., and snap freezing in liquid nitrogen followed by storage at −70° C.

A shake flask containing 200 mL of the 4× media from Table 3B was grown to an OD₆₀₀ of 1.6. Fifteen 10 mL samples were pelleted by centrifugation, the supernatants removed, and the cells resuspended in 10 mL of PBS containing 2% w/v of the appropriate cryoprotectant. One mL aliquots of each resuspended sample were transferred into vials and stored using the appropriate method. Viability was measured by replica plating (with and without CAP) before storage and after 3-28 days or storage, and the percentage of viable cells remaining was calculated. 2% w/v glycerol at −70° C. was found to be the best short-term cryopreservation method; with the bacteria exhibiting approximately 100% viability. The cell viability remained high over the 3-28 days under several of the conditions utilized (FIGS. 25-28).

Conclusion—Examples 13-18

The genetic stability of the pGG55 plasmid in Lm-LLO-E7 showed no signs of structural or segregational instability after 35 or 42 cell generations. A RWCB was produced, and the viability of the cells preserved in the RWCB remained constant at approximately 1×10⁹ CFU/mL after freezing and thawing. The ability of two complex media to support the growth of Lm-LLO-E7 was assessed. LB and TB supported growth to maximum cell densities of approximately 9×10⁸ and 1×10¹⁰ CFU/mL, corresponding to OD₆₀₀ of 0.8 and 4.0 units, respectively. A defined media that supported growth to an extent similar to TB was developed and optimized for shake flask cultivations. Lm-LLO-E7 reached a higher biomass concentration in 5 L batch fermenters compared to shake flask cultivation, likely due to the ability to control the pH in fermenters. The optimum method for cryopreservation of the cells was also investigated. Lm-LLO-E7 cryopreserved in PBS containing 2% w/v glycerol exhibited approximately 100% viability following storage at less than −70° C. for 3 days.

Having described the embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. A polynucleotide encoding a fusion protein comprising: a. a PEST-like sequence from a prokaryotic organism; and b. a tumor antigen.
 2. The polynucleotide of claim 1, wherein the prokaryotic organism is a Listeria bacterium.
 3. The polynucleotide of claim 2, wherein the Listeria bacteria is Listeria monocytogenes.
 4. The polynucleotide of claim 1, wherein the PEST-like sequence is selected from the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 2-5.
 5. The polynucleotide of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to a promoter.
 6. The polynucleotide of claim 5, wherein the promoter is selected from the group consisting of Listerial prfA, Listerial hly promoter, Listerial actA promoter, and Listerial p60 promoter.
 7. The polynucleotide of claim 1, wherein the tumor antigen is a self-antigen.
 8. A method of enhancing immunogenicity of a tumor antigen in a Listeria bacteria, the method comprising introducing a polynucleotide into the Listeria bacteria, wherein the polynucleotide encodes a fusion protein comprising the tumor antigen and a PEST-like sequence from the Listeria bacteria.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the Listeria bacteria is Listeria monocytogenes.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the PEST-like sequence is selected from the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 2-5.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to a promoter.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the promoter is selected from the group consisting of Listerial prfA promoter, Listerial hly promoter, Listerial actA promoter, and Listerial p60 promoter.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the tumor antigen is a self-antigen.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the Listeria bacteria is Listeria monocytogenes.
 15. A polynucleotide encoding a fusion protein comprising: c. a fragment of ActA protein from a Listeria bacterium, wherein the fragment of ActA protein comprises one or more PEST-like sequences; and d. a tumor antigen.
 16. The polynucleotide of claim 15, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to a promoter.
 17. The polynucleotide of claim 16, wherein the promoter is selected from the group consisting of Listerial prfA promoter, Listerial hly promoter, Listerial actA promoter, and Listerial p60 promoter.
 18. The polynucleotide of claim 15, wherein the fragment of ActA protein has an amino acid sequence at least 80% homologous with the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 23. 19. The polynucleotide of claim 15, wherein the fragment of ActA protein has an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 23. 20. The polynucleotide of 15, wherein the PEST-like sequences are selected from the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 2-5.
 21. The polynucleotide of claim 15, wherein the tumor antigen is a self-antigen.
 22. A method of enhancing immunogenicity of a tumor antigen in a first Listeria bacterium, the method comprising introducing a polynucleotide into the first Listeria bacterium, wherein the polynucleotide encodes a fusion protein comprising the tumor antigen and a fragment of ActA protein from a second Listeria bacterium, wherein the fragment of ActA protein comprises one or more PEST-like sequences.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to a promoter.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the promoter is selected from the group consisting of Listerial prfA promoter, Listerial hly promoter, Listerial actA promoter, and Listerial p60 promoter.
 25. The method of claim 22, the fragment of ActA protein has an amino acid sequence at least 80% homologous with the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 23. 26. The method of claim 22, wherein the fragment of ActA protein has an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 23. 27. The method of claim 22, wherein the tumor antigen is a self-antigen.
 28. The method of claim 22, wherein the first Listeria bacterium and the second Listeria bacterium belong to the same subtype of Listeria monocytogenes.
 29. The method of claim 23, wherein the first Listeria bacterium and the second Listeria bacterium belong to different subtypes of Listeria monocytogenes.
 30. The method of claim 22, wherein the PEST-like sequences are selected from the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 2-5. 